New UK leader Andy Burnham caps a busy first week with a part-time office move to Manchester

Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has had a busy first week, making several symbolic economic announcements and undertaking extensive travel. A key initiative is the establishment of "No. 10 North," a part-time office in Manchester, which Burnham intends to use at least one day a week to decentralize power and promote economic growth across the UK. This move aims to address the historical concentration of decision-making in London and empower struggling regions. Burnham took office after his predecessor, Keir Starmer, was removed due to declining popularity and a failure to deliver economic growth. Burnham also faces foreign policy challenges, including maintaining support for Ukraine and navigating tensions with Iran.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is opening a new northern office in Manchester on Friday as part of his initiative to "rebalance power" away from London. This move aims to reverse decades of centralized authority and resources, which Burnham states have left many communities feeling forgotten. He reiterated his commitment to decentralizing power to foster economic growth across all regions. The new hub, dubbed "Number 10 North," signifies a significant step in his plan to distribute more influence and resources to local areas. Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on Monday.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has established "Number 10 North," a new operation based in Manchester, to handle devolution and local growth policy functions. This move aims to decentralize government operations from London, with civil servants working in a restructured Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. Burnham's initiative has prompted Scotland and Wales to question its implications for devolution. While Burnham describes it as a "nerve centre of a rewired Britain," experts note that the architecture is in place but meaningful fiscal devolution, including the transfer of money and tax-raising power, is still lacking. The initiative is intended to drive economic growth across the UK, with Burnham planning to work from Manchester at least one day a week.

Regional mayors will play a significant role in UK economic policy decisions as part of a new initiative led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Burnham has revived the National Economic Council (NEC), first established by Gordon Brown, to address economic growth with urgency and collective action. No 10 North, an interim headquarters in Manchester, will serve as a hub for this effort, aiming to rebalance power from London and place decision-making in the hands of those best positioned to use it. Senior ministers, including Louise Haigh, Lucy Powell, and Angela Rayner, are expected to work from No 10 North, and civil servants will be relocated there. The NEC will convene ministers, regional mayors, business leaders, and trade unions to drive economic growth across the UK.