Andy Burnham's vision for a post-code lottery-free Britain is about to take centre stage. In a major policy speech expected to be delivered in Manchester today, the Labour leader will pledge "good growth in every postcode" by decentralising power from Whitehall to local communities. This ambitious plan aims to drive economic prosperity at a regional level rather than through a top-down national model – an approach that has long been advocated by Mr Burnham.
A key aspect of these proposals is understood to involve granting local authorities increased control over taxation, specifically business rates. This move follows Labour's Deputy Leader, Rachel Reeves, acknowledging the need for further action on fiscal devolution. With this shift, local councils will be empowered to invest in their areas according to specific regional needs and priorities.
Mr Burnham is expected to frame his plans as a "circuit-breaker" for Britain, arguing that the country's significant regional inequality – among the worst in developed nations – is partly due to the high centralisation of power in London. His proposals are designed to address these disparities by giving every area of the UK its own devolved settlement, allowing regions to elect a mayor if they choose.
These new initiatives appear to be an extension of Mr Burnham's "Makerfield test," a commitment to govern based on the impact of policies on his constituents. The former Greater Manchester mayor has previously called for every area of the UK to receive its own devolved settlement, and in a book co-authored with Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram, he advocated for a "basic law" to mandate the government to equalise living standards nationwide.
Mr Burnham will also commit to a 10-year "mission" focused on raising living standards through reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure development, and improvements to essential utilities such as water. This long-term programme echoes previous government ambitions for sustained national improvement. Furthermore, he plans to confirm a proposal to relocate parts of the No 10 operation to Manchester, aiming to coordinate devolution efforts and long-term economic renewal across the UK by drawing inspiration from the Greater Manchester model of partnership between government, business, universities, and communities.