Prime Minister Andy Burnham has officially opened the new No10 North office in Manchester, describing it as the 'nerve centre of a rewired Britain' and promising that cabinet members will work there on a regular basis. The move marks a significant step in the government's long-standing pledge to decentralise power away from London and bring decision-making closer to communities across the country.
Speaking at the opening of the base at Heron House in Manchester city centre, Burnham said the new office was 'not just a new office' but a symbol of a more balanced United Kingdom. 'Power and energy will flow through this site in the coming years,' he told staff, adding that the base would create 'that sense of a more balanced country, that big things can be done from here.' The Prime Minister arrived at the building by police convoy, accompanied by senior officials and local leaders.
The establishment of No10 North fulfils a key manifesto commitment made by the Labour government to move civil service functions and ministerial presence out of the capital. The Manchester base is intended to host regular cabinet meetings, policy development sessions, and ministerial engagements, with the aim of ensuring that government policy reflects the needs and priorities of the North of England and other regions. Burnham, who served as Mayor of Greater Manchester before becoming Prime Minister, has long championed greater regional devolution and investment in northern infrastructure.
The opening has been welcomed by business leaders and local politicians, who see it as a tangible step towards rebalancing the UK economy. However, some critics have questioned whether the new office will lead to genuine decision-making outside London or simply serve as a symbolic gesture. Burnham dismissed such scepticism, insisting that the base would be a working hub, not a photo opportunity. 'This is where decisions will be made, where policies will be shaped, and where the government will engage directly with people who have felt ignored for too long,' he said.
The Prime Minister's first day at No10 North included meetings with local council leaders, business representatives, and community groups. Discussions focused on transport investment, housing, and skills training, with Burnham emphasising that the government's 'levelling up' agenda would be driven from Manchester as much as from Whitehall. The building itself, a modern office block in the city's commercial district, has been refurbished to accommodate ministerial offices, meeting rooms, and a media centre.
The move is part of a broader pattern of government decentralisation, with several departments already establishing regional hubs in cities such as Birmingham, Leeds, and Newcastle. The Treasury has a major presence in Darlington, while the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities operates from Wolverhampton. No10 North is seen as the flagship of this strategy, bringing the heart of government to the North West for the first time.
Burnham's commitment to regular cabinet-level work from Manchester is expected to reshape the rhythm of government business, with ministers spending several days each month working from the northern base. The Prime Minister said the change would help break down the 'London-centric' culture of Whitehall and ensure that policy is informed by direct experience of communities outside the capital. 'This is about rewiring the state so that it works for everyone, not just those within the M25,' he added.
The opening of No10 North has also been accompanied by a renewed push for devolution deals with combined authorities across England. Burnham has indicated that the government is open to further transfers of powers to metro mayors and local councils, particularly in areas such as transport, housing, and skills. The Manchester base is expected to serve as a hub for these negotiations, bringing together national and local leaders to agree new arrangements.
Reaction from opposition parties has been mixed. The Conservatives have accused Burnham of 'gesture politics' and questioned the cost of the new office, while Liberal Democrats have welcomed the principle of decentralisation but called for more detail on how the base will operate. Burnham has defended the expenditure, arguing that the long-term benefits of a more balanced economy far outweigh the upfront costs.
As the Prime Minister settled into his new workspace, he made clear that No10 North was not a temporary experiment but a permanent fixture of British governance. 'This is the beginning of a new chapter for our country,' he said. 'A chapter in which power is shared, opportunity is spread, and every part of Britain has a voice in its own future.'
