Andy Burnham’s decade-long blueprint promises sweeping devolution, regional investment and housing reforms / Image – File
Andy Burnham revealed what he called a 10-year mission to rebuild the British economy, considering that the biggest challenge facing the country is not only who rules from Westminster, but how to govern Britain as a whole.
In his first major policy speech since emerging as Labor leader following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation, Burnham set out an ambitious plan centered around devolving power away from Whitehall, boosting regional investment and achieving what he described as “good growth in every postcode”.Speaking in Manchester, where he served as mayor for nine years, Burnham said Britain needed “the circuit breaker it needs” after years of slowing economic growth, widening regional inequality and declining confidence in politics. He pledged what his team described as “the biggest transfer of power outside Whitehall in modern times”, insisting that local leaders should have much greater control over decisions affecting their communities.Rather than making a series of short-term spending announcements, Burnham’s proposals build on a decade-long program of economic reform covering housing, transportation, education, social care, infrastructure and industrial policy.
His argument is that England’s economy has become overly dependent on decisions made in London, leaving many towns and cities outside the capital struggling to attract investment and create better-paid jobs.
More powers for mayors in England
The centerpiece of Burnham’s scheme is a dramatic expansion of devolution.He wants metro mayors and local authorities to gain much greater responsibility for social housing, transport, post-16 education, adult skills, employment support and elements of social care policy, allowing regional leaders to shape economic policy around local needs rather than relying on Whitehall administrations.Burnham argues that the current system in England remains one of the most centralized among advanced economies, and says that local leaders often have to return repeatedly to Westminster to obtain permission and funding for projects that could be managed more effectively at a regional level. “We need to change the way Britain is governed, not just who governs it,” Burnham said in his speech.His proposals also include multi-year funding adjustments, giving councils and metro mayors greater financial certainty to plan major transportation, housing and renewal projects rather than relying on annual rounds of government spending. Several reports also suggest Burnham wants regions to have a greater impact on business rates and locally generated revenues as part of a wider package of fiscal devolution.
What is the economic plan?
Beyond constitutional reform, the Burnham Blueprint sets out a broader strategy aimed at raising living standards over the next decade.His plan focuses on re-industrialisation, expanding housebuilding, investing in transport and infrastructure, improving facilities and encouraging private investment in all areas that have historically received less economic support than London and the south-east.Burnham returns time and again to the phrase “good growth in every postcode”, arguing that economic success should not just be measured by London’s performance but by whether prosperity reaches every community across England.Another major proposal includes reforming the public procurement system so that government contracts provide greater benefits to British industry. Under Burnham’s vision, procurement will increasingly prioritize UK businesses, apprenticeships, skilled jobs and wider social value, helping public spending support local manufacturing and employment rather than simply choosing the lowest-cost supplier.He also wants technical education to have the same status as university education, claiming that vocational qualifications and apprenticeships should become a key element of Britain’s long-term industrial strategy.
Addressing youth unemployment
One of Burnham’s most striking proposals was to create a ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester.The idea is for part of the Prime Minister’s operation to be permanently based outside London, creating a symbolic and practical shift in where national decisions are made.
Burnham believed that transferring elements of government would demonstrate that economic renewal could not be achieved while political power remained overwhelmingly concentrated in Westminster.Another key pillar of the plan focuses on tackling youth unemployment.Burnham wants mayors to play a leading role in helping the nearly 1 million young people aged between 16 and 24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Rather than reducing welfare costs by cutting benefits, he argues that investing in skills, education and employment supports would prevent long-term economic inactivity while improving productivity.The proposals align closely with the recommendations of former Employment Secretary Alan Melbourne, whose review into youth inactivity concluded that local authorities must take greater responsibility for supporting young people into work because fragmented national programs are failing in too many communities.
Can Burnham offer his vision?
Burnham insists his program can deliver stronger economic growth while staying within Labour’s current fiscal rules.His office says the plan aims to “lift Britain back up” by changing the country’s governance model rather than relying on big increases in public spending. Supporters, including Housing Minister Steve Reid, say Burnham remains committed to Labour’s fiscal discipline while pursuing more ambitious regional growth policies.However, critics argue that devolution alone will not solve Britain’s deeper economic challenges. Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch questioned whether Burnham’s proposals provided sufficient detail on funding, and called for greater parliamentary scrutiny of his plans, while political opponents challenged whether such sweeping reforms could be implemented during a period of tight public finances.If implemented, Burnham’s program would represent one of the most ambitious devolution agendas in England in recent years, shifting greater responsibility for housing, transport, education, skills and economic investment away from Westminster and into the hands of regional leaders. Whether the scheme ultimately becomes government policy will depend on political support over the coming weeks, but it has already put devolution, regional growth and local decision-making at the heart of Britain’s economic debate.
