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Whitehall officials offered relocation to new No 10 North in Manchester

Created at 21 Jul · 1:36 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Civil servants in London have been offered relocation packages to move to No 10 North in Manchester, a new branch of Downing Street aimed at driving the UK's economy and devolving power. Louise Haigh will lead the new Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC).

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Key Numbers

300staff to be employed within 18 months
2032completion year for new Digital Campus

Who's Involved

Louise Haigh
First Secretary of State, to lead No 10 North and OPMC
Andy Burnham
New Prime Minister, with No 10 North as a key agenda item
Baroness Angela Smith
Leader of the House of Lords, announced changes
John Healey
Chancellor, whose department will see some functions shift
Angela Rayner
Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government, whose department will see some functions shift
Re:State
Think tank that authored a blueprint report

↳ Why This Matters

This move represents a significant decentralization of government functions, aiming to boost regional economies and shift power away from Westminster, potentially impacting national policy-making and regional development across the UK.

Key facts

  • Civil servants working for London-based government departments have been offered relocation packages to move to No 10 North in Manchester.
  • No 10 North, a new branch of Downing Street, will be led by Louise Haigh, who will also head a new Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC).
  • The OPMC will oversee key decision-making bodies, including No 10, No 10 North, and Cabinet Office teams.
  • The initial base for No 10 North will be Heron House in Manchester, with a new 'Digital Campus' planned for completion by 2032.
  • The initiative aims to employ around 300 staff within 18 months, drawing from departments like the Treasury and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
  • No 10 North will spearhead devolution efforts, transferring power and strategic decision-making on local economic growth from Whitehall to the regions.

Whitehall officials have been offered relocation packages to move to a new government hub in Manchester, dubbed No 10 North. This initiative, spearheaded by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, aims to decentralize power from London and drive economic growth in the North of England.

Louise Haigh, First Secretary of State, is set to lead the new Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC), which will encompass No 10 North and other key government decision-making bodies. Baroness Angela Smith, Leader of the House of Lords, stated that No 10 North would be a significant force in the UK's economy.

The initial base for No 10 North will be Heron House in central Manchester, with a long-term plan for a new 'Digital Campus' in Ancoats, expected to be completed by 2032. A report by the Re:State think tank outlines a recruitment plan for approximately 300 staff within 18 months, involving the transfer of teams from departments such as the Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

This move is central to Burnham's agenda of devolving power from Whitehall to the regions, with strategic decisions on devolution and local economic growth shifting away from central government departments.

Frequently asked questions

No 10 North is a new branch of Downing Street being established in Manchester as part of a government initiative to decentralize power and drive economic growth in the North of England.

Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, is expected to lead No 10 North and a new Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC).

Initially, it will be based at Heron House in central Manchester. A new 'Digital Campus' is planned for the Ancoats area, with completion expected in 2032.

The primary goals are to devolve power from Whitehall to the regions, stimulate economic growth in the North of England, and create around 300 jobs within 18 months.

What Happens Next

01Approximately 300 staff are expected to be employed within 18 months.
02The new 'Digital Campus' in Manchester is scheduled for completion in 2032.

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Cadence

How It Developed

Civil servants in London have been offered relocation packages to move to No 10 North in Manchester.
No 10 North will be overseen by Louise Haigh, who will lead a new Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC).
The OPMC will include No 10, No 10 North, and teams within the Cabinet Office.
No 10 North's initial location will be Heron House in central Manchester.
A longer-term base is planned for a new government 'Digital Campus' in Ancoats, Manchester, due for completion in 2032.
A report by the Re:State think tank suggests employing around 300 staff within 18 months, transferring teams from departments like the Treasury and Cabinet Office.
No 10 North will focus on devolution and local economic growth, shifting strategic decisions from the Treasury and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Sources

T1
Whitehall officials offered move to No 10 North in ManchesterBBC News

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