Key facts
- Over 100 Whitehall officials will be dispatched to support regional mayors.
- The initiative is part of a pilot program involving 18 mayoralties.
- Each participating mayoral authority will receive five to 10 civil servants.
- A new civil service fast stream pilot will be established in Yorkshire and Humber.
- The future leaders scheme will be expanded to include local authority officials.
Andy Burnham is set to deploy over 100 Whitehall officials to assist the teams of regional mayors, following a meeting convened at his No 10 North base to discuss strategies for economic growth across England. The government has framed this initiative as a 'situation room' designed to integrate local and regional leaders into national decision-making processes.
As a result of the call led by Burnham, approximately five to 10 civil servants will be seconded to each of the 18 participating mayoral authorities for periods of less than a year. This move addresses requests from mayors for additional capacity, made during the inaugural meeting of Burnham's National Economic Council. Furthermore, a new civil service fast stream pilot program will be introduced in Yorkshire and the Humber, and the existing future leaders scheme will be broadened to encompass mayoral and local authority officials.
Burnham emphasized that his No 10 North office is fostering collaboration among mayors from various political affiliations to tackle challenges, prioritizing problem-solving over political disputes. His deputy, Louise Haigh, stated that this initiative signals an end to the concentration of power in Westminster, representing the most significant transfer of authority and resources from Whitehall in a generation. Mayors have historically sought greater support and talent from central government, though they prefer to request assistance on their own terms rather than having officials sent for oversight.
Cabinet ministers, including Chancellor John Healey, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, and Housing Minister Sally Jameson, were present at the meeting, alongside mayors who joined remotely. Burnham's establishment of No 10 North, a department intended to be a primary driver of the UK's economy, was one of his initial actions as prime minister. Healey affirmed that growth is a 'dual mission' for both the Treasury and No 10 North, requiring a collective effort from all government departments and leaders at national, regional, and local levels.