Key facts
- Andy Burnham has unveiled plans to rebalance power in the UK by devolving authority from London to regions.
- A 'No. 10 North' hub is proposed for Manchester to oversee the distribution of power and resources.
- Burnham aims to improve living standards through a 10-year economic plan, including greater public control of essential services.
- He pledged the largest council housing building program since the postwar era and reform of business rates.
- Burnham committed to adhering to Labour's fiscal rules and hinted at cost of living support measures.
- The plan seeks to reform governance, viewing the current Westminster system as 'broken'.
Andy Burnham has laid out his vision for transforming Britain, centered on a significant rebalancing of power away from London and towards regional areas. In a major speech, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and potential future Prime Minister pledged to establish a 'No. 10 North' hub in Manchester to oversee the devolution of resources and authority across the country.
Burnham described the current political system as 'broken' and argued that incremental change would not suffice to address the nation's challenges. His 10-year economic plan aims to raise living standards by increasing public control over essential services such as water, housing, energy, and transport. He also proposed the most substantial council housing building program since the post-war period and reforms to business rates to revitalize high streets.
Addressing concerns about fiscal responsibility, Burnham reiterated his commitment to adhering to Labour's existing fiscal rules, reassuring markets and potential supporters. He hinted at early cost-of-living support measures for households struggling with rising bills, emphasizing the need for hope and tangible change. Burnham suggested that the 'No. 10 North' operation, to be run by Caroline Simpson, former chief executive of the Manchester combined authority, would ensure equivalent living conditions across the UK, potentially drawing inspiration from Germany's fiscal equalisation model.
Burnham also indicated a desire to reform the culture of Westminster, suggesting that Whitehall's adversarial approach to devolution is over and that the whipping system could be adjusted to allow MPs greater freedom. He expressed openness to collaborating with other political parties to achieve his long-term goals. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed confidence in Burnham's commitment to alliance spending, and snap polling indicated some support from Reform UK voters for Burnham's proposals on regional devolution and utility control.