Story perspectives

Burnham Moves Economic Growth Role to No 10 North

8/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham transfers economic growth responsibilities from HM Treasury to No 10 North in Manchester.
Chancellor John Healey fully backs the transfer, calling it a huge transfer of power.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner says the shift does not demote the chancellor or Treasury.
Burnham will work at No 10 North once a week.
He will unveil a 10-year reform plan after the October 28 Budget.

History

Historical Context

The 2011 Cities and Local Government Devolution Act granted England’s combined authorities new fiscal powers, marking the first large-scale shift of economic control from Westminster. Under the act, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, led by Mayor Andy Burnham, received a £1.2 billion investment package from the Treasury in 2016. Today, Burnham’s decision to move growth responsibilities to No 10 North mirrors that original devolution, shifting policy design from HM Treasury to a regional hub. The precedent suggests future UK governments may routinely allocate budgeting authority to city-level cabinets, reshaping national fiscal architecture for decades.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham transfers economic growth responsibilities from HM Treasury to No 10 North in Manchester.
Chancellor John Healey fully backs the transfer, calling it a huge transfer of power.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner says the shift does not demote the chancellor or Treasury.
Burnham will work at No 10 North once a week.
He will unveil a 10-year reform plan after the October 28 Budget.

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