Andy Burnham will become the first Prime Minister to work from a new 'Number 10 North' department as he declares that the days of Westminster hoarding power are over.
The Merseyside-born politician has promised to "rewire" the country and says his new Number 10 North base will be the government's new "situation room for growth." The department will open on Friday in Heron House in Manchester City Centre. The Prime Minister is expected to work from No10 North each week so that decisions about the country's economic future will no longer exclusively be made in Westminster.
Other ministers will also work from No10 North on a regular basis, underlining this Government's determination to do things differently.
National Economic Council Revived
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, one of the Prime Minister's closest friends and allies, will be in attendance at the new northern base on Friday as part of a meeting of a new National Economic Council - which will bring together ministers and regional mayors in a bid to drive regional devolution.
The National Economic Council was first established in 2008 to provide a national response to an economic emergency. Downing Street says its revival reflects the Prime Minister's belief that delivering economic growth now requires the same level of urgency, focus and collective action, bringing together other government departments and local leaders.
Prime Minister's Statement
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "For 40 years, power and resources have been sucked into the centre, and too many communities have felt forgotten, without the attention and investment they deserve.
“No 10 North will change that by putting more power into every postcode across the entire country.
“It will be the situation room for making Britain better - the place we use to get power out of Westminster, into the hands of people at a local level, so that they can turn things around.
"The days of Whitehall resisting devolution are over, for good."
Business Engagement
Ahead of the first meeting of the National Economic Council, the Prime Minister will speak to leading Business Representative Organisations including the Federation of Small Business, CBI and the BCC to discuss how Government and business can work together to unlock growth, investment and create jobs across the country.
The NEC’s attendees will flex according to the issues under consideration, bringing together business leaders, trade unions and other partners where their expertise can help drive delivery.
Local economic growth, devolution strategy and local growth policy are being brought together so that government departments, mayors, combined authorities and business can work from a single plan rather than competing ones.
First Secretary of State's Comment
First Secretary of State Louise Haigh said: "Today marks a fundamental re-balancing of where power sits in our country. No10 North has been set up to drive economic growth in every postcode and put power in the hands of every community.
"Through this department, this Government will ensure that the places overlooked by Westminster for decades are given a real voice. No.10 North is open for business."
