Burnham Opens No 10 North in Manchester as 300 Civil Servants Prepare to Relocate
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 23
Burnham Opens No 10 North in Manchester as 300 Civil Servants Prepare to Relocate
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 23
Summary
Andy Burnham spent his first day working from No 10 North in Manchester, where he was due to chair the National Economic Council and meet business groups on growth and investment.
Up to 300 civil servants are expected to join the northern Downing Street site by the end of next year as Burnham shifts devolution and local growth decisions out of Whitehall.
Heron House in central Manchester will serve as the initial base, with Angela Rayner, Lucy Powell and Louise Haigh also set to work there regularly; a permanent Ancoats site is not due until 2032.
The move extends Burnham's first-week push on regional economics after a 20% business-rates cut for pubs, clubs and live music venues, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said his plans were too small.
The launch fits a wider effort to move government jobs beyond London, where 19.6% of civil servants remain based and 34.7% of senior roles are still concentrated.
Beyond moving civil servants, what will it truly take to shift power from London?
Could establishing a 'second capital' in Manchester deepen regional divides instead of healing them?
No 10 North and the Devolution Revolution: Key Metrics and Challenges in Rewiring British Governance
Overview
On July 23, 2026, the UK government marked a turning point with the inauguration of No 10 North in Manchester. Prime Minister Andy Burnham made clear that this new northern base is not just symbolic, but a real step toward decentralizing power. He declared that the era of resisting devolution is over, setting out a mission to extend decision-making authority beyond Westminster. The government’s strategy focuses on fostering collaboration between ministers and civil servants, aiming to build a more responsive and regionally empowered Britain. This move signals a strong commitment to genuine devolution and a new approach to national governance.