Andy Burnham is preparing to visit his new No10 North headquarters for the first time, where he will designate it as the “situation room” aimed at improving the functionality of Britain. The new Prime Minister revealed his plan to establish a northern extension of Downing Street last month to prevent the concentration of power in Westminster.
Initially, the operations will be based at Heron House in Manchester city center, which also serves as the location for GCHQ’s North West intelligence and cyber agency hub. During the visit on Friday, Downing Street mentioned that the PM intends to revive Gordon Brown’s National Economic Council, which was established in 2008 following the global financial crisis. This council will bring together senior ministers and mayors from various regions.
Ahead of Burnham’s inaugural visit, his close associate and key Cabinet member Louise Haigh stated, “No10 North is ready for action.” Burnham, who aims to spend at least one day a week at the site, expressed, “For four decades, power and resources have been centralized, neglecting many communities. No 10 North will decentralize power across the nation, ensuring every postcode receives its share.”
Describing it as the epicenter for enhancing Britain, Burnham emphasized the shift of power away from Westminster to local levels for effective change. This move aligns with recent policy initiatives by the new administration, including a VAT reduction on energy bills, reinstating the £2 cap on bus fares, and lowering business rates. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner commended the quick action taken by the PM to address cost-of-living concerns.
However, Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, highlighted the importance of a new economic strategy for the Labour government to succeed. She emphasized the need for a working-class-focused agenda to bring hope and progress to the forefront of governmental actions.