Burnham says Whitehall’s days of resisting devolution are ‘over’ ahead of first No 10 North meeting in Manchester
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared Whitehall’s era of resisting devolution “completely over” ahead of his first meeting at his new No 10 North office in Manchester.
Mr Burnham is scheduled to work once a week during his premiership from GCHQ’s northern outpost at Heron House near Albert Square, which also houses its Manchester and North West headquarters.
His first task will be to chair a meeting of the National Economic Council, a Cabinet committee established in 2008 to address economic challenges.
The government has confirmed that those attending these meetings may vary depending on the agenda and may include prominent business leaders and union representatives.
Articulating his vision for the new centre, the Prime Minister said: “For 40 years, power and resources have been relegated to the centre, and many communities have felt forgotten, without the attention and investment they deserve.”
He added: “No 10 North will change that by giving more power to every postcode up and down the country. This will be a case ground for changing Britain for the better – where we use power to move from Westminster into the hands of people at a local level, so they can turn things around. The days of Whitehall resisting devolution are completely over.”
Ahead of the opening meeting, Mr Burnham is scheduled to meet leaders from organizations representing business, including the Federation of Small Businesses and the Confederation of British Industry.
The Prime Minister has faced scrutiny over whether his focus on the North could distract from other regions such as the East of England.
Addressing these concerns in Essex, Harlow explained: “The whole point of No 10 North is to bring more power to every postcode in the country, including Harlow’s postcodes.
How can we put the power from Whitehall and Westminster into the hands of people at a local level so they can make a difference and turn things around?” He also told ITV Anglia: “I see the same challenges all over the country. There are many communities that feel a bit forgotten, not receiving the attention and investment they deserve. And these communities can be found in the North of England as well as in the East of England and the South West.”
This new base in the north marks a significant shift in government operations, while No 10 Downing Street in central London, a short walk from the Houses of Parliament, will continue to operate as usual.
