No10 North plans shift of power from London

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has opened No10 North, a new government base in Manchester, to shift economic decision-making away from London and signal a broader devolution agenda. The Manchester hub will function as a ‘situation room for growth’ and host the revived National Economic Council, bringing together senior ministers and regional mayors to coordinate growth strategies. Burnham argues decades of centralized Whitehall control left regions underinvested and promises a decade-long plan to empower local infrastructure, housing, and public transport, with ministers regularly working from No10 North. The move involves personnel and civil-service relocations from London to the north and underscores a commitment to devolution across the country. Critics question whether the initiative translates into real national governance and delivery beyond rhetoric, while supporters highlight its potential to unlock regional growth and accountability. The initiative is being framed alongside other policy moves and tax relief measures aimed at easing costs of living and stimulating regional development.