Andy Burnham's ambitious plan for a 'No 10 North' to decentralise government operations is reportedly set to be housed within a new civil service hub currently under construction in Manchester. The proposed northern centre of government is expected to be located in Ancoats, on the edge of Manchester city centre, though the facility is not anticipated to be completed until 2028. This move aligns with Burnham's broader vision to overhaul the Westminster system and split his time between London and Greater Manchester, should he become Prime Minister.
The designated location, known as the Manchester Digital Campus, received formal approval from the Treasury in March. This significant development is being built on brownfield land and is designed to accommodate approximately 8,800 civil servants from various government departments, with a particular emphasis on digital work. The project aims to provide around 900,000 square feet of purpose-built workspace across two buildings, with full operational capacity targeted for 2032.
Given the 2028 completion date for the Ancoats site, Burnham's team is understood to be actively searching for a temporary office space within Manchester's city centre. As the current Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham's office has previously been located in the Tootal Buildings on Oxford Street. Meanwhile, Manchester's civic headquarters, the Grade I-listed Town Hall, is undergoing an extensive renovation project exceeding £500 million, with completion scheduled for spring 2027.
To lead the northern operations, Burnham has appointed Caroline Simpson, the chief executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. The initiative to devolve parts of Westminster to the north has largely garnered support from across the political spectrum and from business leaders. Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, highlighted that such a move would help ensure the full potential of civil servant relocations to regions like Darlington, York, and Manchester is realised, bringing government closer to the communities it serves.
Further support came from Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, who stated that Burnham's proposals for greater power transfer to regional mayors would assist in reducing the cost of living, revitalising high streets, and fostering economic growth across the regions. Huw Merriman, chair of the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board and a former Conservative rail minister, also emphasised the importance of Burnham's commitment to reinstating the HS2 rail link to London as a significant benefit.
Source: Manchester Evening News