Andy Burnham, the Labour MP for Makerfield and favourite to become the next prime minister, is planning to move parts of the No 10 operation to Manchester as part of a radical devolution agenda. The proposal, first reported by the Financial Times, will feature in a major policy speech next week, marking Burnham's first such address since winning his seat.
Burnham, a former Greater Manchester mayor, argues that the UK's severe regional inequality stems from excessive centralisation of political power in London. He has promised to govern by a 'Makerfield test', assessing policies based on their impact on his constituents. The move to relocate elements of the prime minister's office is intended to demonstrate a tangible shift in power away from the capital.
While 10 Downing Street is iconic, successive prime ministers have criticised its unsuitability as a modern government hub. Staff are often cramped in the 300-year-old townhouse, with much government work occurring in the adjacent Cabinet Office. Earlier this year, No 10 officials considered creating a new prime minister's office merging Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, but the plan was abandoned after poor local election results for Labour.
The government has already had success relocating other departments, with nine agencies collaborating on a new 'economic campus' in Darlington. Construction began this year on a five-storey office that will permanently house 1,600 civil servants. Burnham's proposal, however, goes further by targeting the heart of government operations.
It remains unclear whether Burnham will adopt the advice of economist Andy Haldane, who has called for splitting the Treasury and creating a new growth ministry in the north. Burnham has previously advocated for devolved settlements for all UK regions and, with Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram, proposed a 'basic law' to equalise living standards nationwide.
