Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a major new package of measures designed to put more Whitehall capacity behind local leaders, promising it will 'put power into every UK postcode'. The announcement comes as England's regional mayors from across the political spectrum join the first 'virtual situation room' meeting to be convened by Number 10 North today (August 21).
Civil servants to join mayoral offices
'High-performing' civil servants will be shipped into mayoral offices - including Greater Manchester's - with the government declaring 'the days of Westminster hoarding power are over'. Whitehall officials will be posted into mayors' offices on secondments lasting from six to nine months, in a new pilot scheme.
"No 10 North is putting more power into every postcode across the country so communities can unleash and unlock their own potential," said Prime Minister Andy Burnham. "I'm bringing together mayors from different political parties to work on these challenges, because people deserve problem-solving rather than point-scoring."
Package follows mayors' requests
One month after opening No 10 North, the PM has announced the package of measures. The government says the aim is to help unlock 'good growth in every postcode'. It follows direct requests from mayors at the first meeting of the National Economic Council, held at the end of July, where they called for stronger local capability, faster decision-making and a closer partnership with government.
From autumn, each mayoral authority will receive five to 10 'high-performers' from the Civil Service, with up to five secondees for each authority during an initial transition period. The government says this will 'build capability and capacity, and accelerate the transfer of power to mayoral authorities'. The teams will deliver skills where they are needed for a 'once-in-a-generation' devolution settlement, and mayors - including Greater Manchester's Bev Craig - will be given the freedom to request the type of skills they need.
New schemes and regeneration push
First Secretary of State Louise Haigh said: "The days of Westminster hoarding power are over. This government has kickstarted the biggest transition of power and resources in a generation, taking it from Whitehall and putting it back in the hands of local communities."
The package also includes a new Civil Service Fast Stream pilot in Yorkshire and Humber, which the government says will provide more opportunities to build successful careers outside London and creating 'a new pipeline of future leaders' with experience working in local and central government. The Civil Service Future Leaders Scheme, which develops 'high-potential individuals', will also be expanded to mayoral and local authority officials - while a 'Digital Devolution' programme is designed to unlock government data and build AI, digital and data capability in mayoral authorities.
The Minister for Growth and Minister for Sport will also work with mayors on a new Stadium Regeneration Accelerator, which will support major sports-led regeneration projects and bring forward jobs, investment and housing.
Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, added: "We want to see more power and resource shifted away from Westminster and back into the hands of our communities where it belongs."
"We're also giving our mayors the tools they need to push on and deliver on what matters for their community, whether that's new transport links, more safe and secure homes, regeneration projects, or everything in between. No 10 North is at the heart of our devolution revolution, and we will continue to listen closely on how we can help support our mayors to drive good growth in every postcode - and back our regions."
