The UK government is taking a bold step to decentralize power, with regional mayors playing a pivotal role in economic policy decisions.
The UK government is undergoing a significant transformation with the establishment of No 10 North in Manchester. This initiative, spearheaded by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, aims to rebalance power and place regional mayors at the forefront of economic decision-making.
The move is seen as a major shift in how the country is governed, with a focus on devolution and local empowerment.
Burnham has revived the National Economic Council (NEC) a body first introduced by Gordon Brown during the 2008 financial crisis.
The NEC will bring together senior ministers and regional mayors to address economic growth with the same urgency and focus as during the financial crash. This marks a departure from the traditional centralized approach, emphasizing collaboration and shared power.
No 10 North: A New Hub for Economic Decision-Making
The interim headquarters for No 10 North is located in Heron House central Manchester. This move symbolizes a commitment to operating the government on a weekly basis from outside London. Burnham’s goal is to ensure that decisions about the country’s economic future are no longer exclusively made in Westminster. The initiative aims to bring together the levers of local economic growth and devolution under one roof, working from a single plan rather than competing ones.
Key figures such as Louise Haigh the education secretary Lucy Powell and the communities secretary Angela Rayner—all of whom have Greater Manchester seats—are expected to spend time working from No 10 North. Teams of civil servants are also being relocated to the new hub, further cementing the government’s commitment to decentralization.
The Role of Regional Mayors in Economic Policy
Regional mayors will play a crucial role in the NEC, which will meet regularly to discuss and implement economic policies. The body’s attendees will change depending on the issues under consideration, bringing together business leaders, trade unions, and other partners to drive decision-making. This inclusive approach aims to ensure that policies are developed with local leaders, not just for them.
The NEC’s structure is modeled after the body established by Gordon Brown, which met twice a week to coordinate emergency banking sector bailouts during the 2008 financial crisis. The new committee is described as an economic version of the Cobra emergency committee highlighting its importance in addressing urgent economic challenges.
Challenges and Criticisms
While the initiative has been welcomed by some, it also faces criticism. Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA union which represents senior civil servants, has cautioned that relocation is a big decision for staff. However, at least seven Greater Manchester Combined Authority employees are already moving into the temporary building, with a brownfield site being developed for a permanent solution.
Burnham’s vision for No 10 North is to drive reindustrialisation and growth across every postcode in the UK. The initiative aims to remove barriers to regeneration, from council house building to public transport infrastructure. By bringing the whole of Whitehall together behind places rather than standing in their way, Burnham hopes to achieve equivalent living standards across all regions and nations of the UK.
