Prime Minister Andy Burnham launches Manchester office to shift power northward

Prime Minister Andy Burnham inaugurated a low-rise office building in Manchester, branding it “No. 10 North” as a symbolic and operational counterweight to the traditional seat at 10 Downing Street. The former Greater Manchester mayor plans to spend at least one day each week there, supported by a full staff of advisers and civil servants. Alongside the new hub, he announced that mayors will retain a greater portion of local income and business tax receipts, calling it the most substantial transfer of power and resources from Westminster in decades.

Observers point out that while Manchester has thrived under Burnham’s mayoralty, the city’s growth has not uniformly reached surrounding areas, and opponents warn the initiative could favor the north-west over other regions. The office currently shares a building with a pub, a civic register, and a GCHQ branch, with plans for a dedicated headquarters in future redevelopment. Supporters, including leaders of cooperative businesses, say the move could make government more responsive to regional needs, but skeptics stress the need for broader geographic inclusion.