British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has officially launched No 10 North in Manchester, marking one of the first major steps in his government’s plan to move decision-making closer to local communities across England.
The new office, which Burnham intends to use at least once a week, represents his commitment to reducing London’s long-standing dominance over political and economic decisions. His vision is to give towns, cities, and regional leaders greater influence over the policies that directly affect their communities.
Speaking ahead of the opening, Burnham said England has experienced decades of excessive centralisation, leaving many areas feeling overlooked while opportunities and investment remained concentrated in the capital.
He believes the new Manchester office will help reverse that trend by creating a stronger connection between central government and local leaders, allowing regional priorities to shape national policy more effectively.
A New Hub for Regional Growth
Burnham’s office describes No 10 North as a “situation room for growth,” where ministers, regional mayors, and senior government officials can work together on economic development, investment, infrastructure, and public services.
Manchester was chosen because Burnham believes the city-region demonstrates how greater local control can lead to stronger economic performance. During his years as Mayor of Greater Manchester, the region consistently outperformed many parts of the UK in areas including business growth, investment, employment, and innovation.
His government hopes that similar success can be replicated across other English regions by giving local authorities more responsibility and strategic influence.
Experts Say More Change Is Needed
While the announcement has generated interest, constitutional experts remain cautious about describing the move as true devolution.
Policy adviser Alan Trench argues that simply relocating government offices outside London does not automatically transfer political power. Instead, he describes the initiative as decentralising government operations rather than giving regions new legislative authority.
Experts point out that unlike Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, England still lacks regional law-making powers. Although several metro mayors have gained responsibilities over transport, housing, and local development, many key financial and policy decisions continue to be controlled by Westminster.
Building a Stronger National Strategy
As part of his wider reforms, Burnham has instructed several government departments, including the Treasury, to transfer selected strategic functions to No 10 North.
The office will operate under a newly established Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, designed to improve coordination between national government and regional administrations.
Burnham has also revived the National Economic Council, originally created during the 2008 financial crisis. Its first meeting will take place at No 10 North, bringing together senior ministers and regional mayors to discuss economic priorities and investment opportunities.
Support Mixed with Skepticism
Many academics welcome the government’s renewed focus on regional development.
Professor Nicola McEwen believes giving No 10 North an important strategic role could strengthen cooperation between Westminster and local governments, provided it genuinely listens to regional leaders and supports their long-term development.
Others remain more sceptical.
Professor Michael Keating argues it is somewhat contradictory to tackle centralisation by creating another central government department responsible for deciding how power is distributed. He also questions whether No 10 North will have enough influence to challenge the Treasury, which has historically maintained tight control over public spending.
Several analysts also note that government departments already operate regional hubs in cities including Glasgow, Sheffield, and Darlington, making the Manchester office an evolution rather than a completely new concept.
What Comes Next?
Burnham has indicated that his government remains committed to strengthening regional leadership while maintaining the unity of the United Kingdom.
Although he has ruled out supporting new independence referendums in Scotland or Wales, his administration hopes that giving English regions greater influence over local decision-making will improve economic growth, public services, and public confidence in government.
Whether No 10 North becomes a genuine symbol of decentralisation or simply another government office will depend on how much authority and responsibility ultimately moves away from London in the coming years.
