Andy Burnham, the UK's likely next prime minister, has promised to create a 'No 10 North' to oversee the biggest devolution of power in a generation. In his first speech since Keir Starmer announced he was standing down, Burnham said the Westminster system was 'broken' and that a 'more of the same' approach would neither improve living standards nor restore people's faith in how politics worked for them.
So what exactly is being proposed? Burnham, who served in the last Labour government and later as mayor of Greater Manchester, plans to set up No 10 North as the 'nerve centre of a rewired Britain'. This new hub would have three clear tasks: to increase public ownership of essential utilities such as water, energy and housing; reindustrialise swathes of the country; and regenerate towns, prioritising places that had been left behind. He also vowed to order Whitehall to back British firms bidding for public contracts – even if this cost taxpayers more.
“Andy Burnham plans to shift power from Westminster to local areas. Here's what that means for you.”
Devolution is not a new concept in the UK. Since the late 1990s, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have had their own devolved governments, and London has had a directly elected mayor since 2000. More recently, combined authorities with metro mayors have been created in areas like Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and Liverpool City Region. But Burnham's plan goes further, promising to shift significant power and resources from Westminster to local areas across the whole of England. He described it as 'the biggest change in our lifetimes'.
For UK readers, this could mean real, practical changes. More local control over water and energy bills, a major council housebuilding programme – the biggest since the postwar period – and better transport links decided closer to home. Burnham also hinted at an early cost of living support package once he reaches Downing Street, saying: 'I heard on doorsteps in Makerfield how people need a bit extra now to help with rising costs.' He acknowledged that 'people can't wait for ever for change'.
Q: What is No 10 North? No 10 North is a proposed new government hub, based in the north of England, that would oversee a massive transfer of power and resources from Westminster to local areas. Burnham said it would act as the 'nerve centre of a rewired Britain'.
Q: What changes could this bring to everyday life? The plan includes greater public control over utilities like water, energy and housing, a major council housebuilding programme, and more support for local businesses. Whitehall would be ordered to back British firms bidding for public contracts, even if it costs taxpayers more.
Q: When will this happen? Burnham is expected to become prime minister on 20 July 2026, unless he is challenged for the Labour leadership. Once in power, he would need to push these plans through, though he acknowledged Whitehall's resistance to change.
What happens next? Burnham will become prime minister on 20 July if no leadership challenge emerges. He then faces the challenge of implementing his devolution agenda, including overcoming resistance from civil servants in Whitehall. The coming weeks and months will test how quickly he can deliver on his promise of a 'new direction' for the country.