Number 10 North Takes Devolution Brief in Manchester as 2 Senior Ministers Split Time There
Updated
Updated · samf.substack.com · Jul 26
Number 10 North Takes Devolution Brief in Manchester as 2 Senior Ministers Split Time There
3 articles · Updated · samf.substack.com · Jul 26
Summary
Manchester’s new Number 10 North is already operating opposite the town hall and has taken charge of the government’s devolution agenda.
Treasury and local government teams have moved into the office, while Louise Haigh and Angela Rayner are set to spend part of each working week there.
Several senior officials from Greater Manchester’s team under former mayor Andy Burnham have also joined, bringing experience of both the benefits and pitfalls of devolved government.
The move makes devolution a defining project for the prime minister, aimed at shifting power out of Westminster to tackle what supporters see as an overcentralized state.
The project still carries risks: uneven local performance, added policy complexity and possible disruption for businesses if different regions adopt divergent approaches.