Andy Burnham Champions Regional Growth as No. 10 North Opens, Jokes He May Be ‘In Trouble at Home’

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has renewed his call for greater regional decision-making and economic investment after helping launch the new No. 10 North office, a move aimed at strengthening the government’s presence outside Westminster and accelerating growth across northern England.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Burnham struck a light-hearted tone when he joked that he might be “in trouble at home” over one of the comments made during his speech, drawing laughter from those in attendance. While the remark added a moment of humor to the event, Burnham quickly turned his attention to the significance of the new office and the wider goal of rebalancing political and economic power across the United Kingdom.

The opening of No. 10 North marks a symbolic step in the government’s efforts to decentralize decision-making and improve engagement with regional leaders. Located in the North of England, the office is intended to strengthen collaboration between central government, local authorities, and businesses while supporting policies designed to boost investment, productivity, and job creation.

Following the inauguration, Burnham chaired the first meeting of the revived National Economic Council, bringing together government representatives, regional leaders, and business figures to discuss strategies for driving long-term economic growth. The council is expected to focus on infrastructure development, skills training, investment opportunities, innovation, and measures to improve living standards across the country.

Burnham has long argued that local leaders are best placed to understand the needs of their communities and has consistently advocated for greater devolution of powers from Westminster. He believes stronger regional governance would allow cities and towns to make faster decisions on transport, housing, education, and economic development, ultimately creating more balanced national growth.

Supporters of the initiative say the establishment of No. 10 North demonstrates a commitment to addressing regional inequalities that have persisted for decades. They argue that bringing government closer to communities outside London will improve coordination and ensure local priorities receive greater attention.

Critics, however, have cautioned that the success of the initiative will depend on whether the office is backed by meaningful funding and decision-making authority rather than serving as a symbolic gesture. They contend that long-term economic transformation will require sustained investment, clear policy direction, and close cooperation between national and local governments.

As the government seeks to reshape its approach to regional development, the launch of No. 10 North and the revival of the National Economic Council represent a renewed effort to place local leadership at the heart of Britain’s economic strategy. Whether the initiative delivers lasting change will become clearer as policies move from discussion to implementation in the months ahead.