Prime Minister Andy Burnham described it as the best day of his life as he officially opened Number 10 North in Manchester city centre on Friday. The new government headquarters at Heron House saw Burnham interrupt at least two weddings and give an interview to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, promising substantial changes to social care.
Exclusive Interview with Burnham
After a long wait, our Politics Reporter Iram Ramzan spoke to Burnham at his home in Leigh. He argued his pet project will save money in the long run, said the civil service is strongly buying it, and completely ruled out calling a snap election after becoming Britain's seventh Prime Minister in a decade.
“I don’t think that is right,” he said. “We live in a parliamentary democracy. There was a manifesto in 2024. I’m sticking to that manifesto. I’m bringing forward my version but it is still within that manifesto. I just think that we need to focus on making the country work. That is the biggest priority right now. A general election would postpone that essential work. I’m also trying to do politics differently, as I did when I was mayor of Greater Manchester.”
Return to Manchester
Burnham expressed how much he missed being Greater Manchester mayor, calling it “lovely” being back in the city. “I’ve not been back for a while. People were just great, as ever,” he said. On his promise to end rough sleeping, he doubled down when asked how he could achieve it nationwide when he couldn't in Manchester. “A Bed Every Night scheme still runs and rough sleeping is significantly down on where it was when I came in as mayor,” he said. “But what I discovered was that we couldn’t do what I wanted to do when we were the only area doing what we were doing. All areas have to do it together.”
Louise Haigh on Devolution
Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh, architect of Burnham's leadership campaign, told Iram that two ministers will oversee devolution and fiscal devolution and growth. Success, she claimed, won’t be measured by the building itself but whether more decisions and investments flow away from London. “The whole point of devolution is taking decisions to the ground as close as possible,” she said. “We believe it’s important because decisions will be better. Outcomes for people will be better. We want more investments going in places around the country.”
Manchester to Host G20
The city is now set to host the annual G20 summit, which could bring Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping to town. It will require the biggest security operation Manchester has ever seen. Professor Andy Westwood of the University of Manchester said, “I dare say the vast majority of the world leaders won't have been to Manchester before and won't really know very much about Andy Burnham. So it's a big opportunity for the city, the region and the whole country to show itself off.” Details are being closely guarded, with several senior figures signing non-disclosure agreements.
Barack Obama to Visit
Former US President Barack Obama is due to visit Manchester this autumn for a live event at Co-op Live, touted as “a call to hope” and “resilience”, discussing what comes after America’s 250th anniversary of independence.
Jodrell Bank Under Threat
The historic Jodrell Bank Observatory faces potential closure after reportedly having its funding cut. The Macclesfield observatory, part of the University of Manchester and a Unesco World Heritage site, could see all scientific observations cease in April 2028 unless new funding is found. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has withdrawn its annual £2.8m funding, saying it needs to make 'tough, but necessary, decisions' to remain sustainable.
Moor Fires Still Burning
Rain over the weekend helped crews battling huge wildfires on the moors, but the fires are not extinguished. Fires near Dovestone Reservoir in Greenfield, Oldham and Swineshaw near Glossop are still alight. Containment operations continue near the village of Tintwistle.
Manchester Day Parade
Despite 21 days of sunshine, clouds opened just in time for Manchester Day. Dianne Bourne reported hundreds of performers and thousands of spectators lining the streets. 600 performers from 25 community groups gave a spectacular procession featuring dancers, drummers, giant bees, and Spanish “gegants” in a Catalan and book-themed parade for 2026.
New Podcast
The Mancunian Way has launched a podcast. Each week, reporters will analyse Greater Manchester’s biggest stories. The first episode discusses Burnham’s first week as PM, featuring Editor-in-Chief Sarah Lester and Features Editor Rob Williams. The quote “if he was an ice cream he’d lick himself” was noted, while Sarah described Burnham as a “wannabe journalist” who “doesn't think he can solve the problems, he in himself absolutely believes he can solve the problems”.
Weather and Travel
Tuesday: Overcast, 25C, with sunshine expected later. Road closures include A671 Rochdale Road in Royton and A58 Gerard Street West in Ashton-in-Makerfield due to roadworks.
