Prime Minister Andy Burnham will spend his first day in office working from the newly established No. 10 North in Manchester, signaling a significant shift in government operations away from traditional Westminster and Whitehall.

This move is part of a broader strategy to rebalance power and resources across the United Kingdom, addressing concerns that many communities have been overlooked and under-invested in for decades. The prime minister stated that the era of Whitehall resisting devolution is over, emphasizing a commitment to empowering regions.

Burnham will chair the first meeting of the National Economic Council at No. 10 North, bringing together senior ministers and regional mayors. The council, originally established in 2008 to tackle economic challenges, will now prioritize devolution and local economic growth, with strategic decision-making moving from departments like the Treasury to the new northern base.

The establishment of No. 10 North in Manchester signifies a tangible effort to decentralize government functions. Ministerial colleagues, including Lucy Powell and Louise Haigh, will also regularly operate from the site, with projections indicating up to 300 civil servants could be based there by the end of next year.

Discussions at the inaugural meeting are expected to focus on government plans to foster growth and investment, with input from business leaders representing organizations such as the Federation of Small Business, the Confederation of British Industry, and the British Chambers of Commerce. Labour's ambition is to create a cohesive strategy that integrates existing devolution efforts with local growth policies, encouraging closer collaboration between civil servants, mayors, councils, and businesses.

Burnham's initial week has already seen him announce measures to alleviate the cost of living crisis, including a 20% business rates cut for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues starting next April. However, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has criticized these early actions, deeming them insufficient. Badenoch suggested Burnham is still operating with the mindset of a mayor rather than a prime minister, urging him to address broader issues like high energy costs for businesses and defense funding gaps.

No. 10 North is currently operating from Heron House in central Manchester, sharing the building with GCHQ offices. The prime minister intends to work from this location weekly, and specialist police have been observed providing security. A more permanent base is anticipated at a new government site currently under construction in Manchester's Ancoats area.

While the initiative aims to empower regions, questions remain about the practical implementation and the extent to which this decentralization will truly shift strategic control from central government departments, despite assurances that departments like the Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will retain input.