Andy Burnham has unveiled a 10-year mission to rebuild Britain’s economy, arguing that the country’s biggest challenge is not just who governs from Westminster, but how Britain is governed as a whole. In her first major policy speech since emerging as the frontrunner for Labour’s leadership following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer, Burnham set out an ambitious blueprint focused on transferring power away from Whitehall, promoting regional investment and what she described as “good growth in every postcode”.Speaking in Manchester, where he served as mayor for nine years, Burnham said Britain “needs a circuit-breaker” after years of sluggish economic growth, rising regional inequality and declining trust in politics. He promised what his team calls “the largest transfer of power from Whitehall in modern times”, insisting that local leaders should have far greater control over decisions affecting their communities.Rather than offering a series of short-term spending announcements, Burnham’s proposals are built around a decade-long program of economic reform covering housing, transport, education, welfare, infrastructure and industrial policy. They argue that England’s economy has become too 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 of England
The centerpiece of Burnham’s blueprint is a dramatic expansion of devolution.He wants metro mayors and local authorities to have greater responsibility over elements of social housing, transport, post-16 education, adult skills, employment support and welfare policy, allowing regional leaders to shape economic policy based on local needs rather than relying on Whitehall departments.Burnham argues that England’s current system is the most centralized among developed economies and says that local leaders are often forced to return repeatedly to Westminster in search of permission and funding for projects that could be more effectively managed at a regional level. “We need to change how Britain is governed, not just who governs it,” Burnham said in the speech.His proposals also include a multi-year funding settlement, giving councils and metro mayors greater financial certainty to plan major transport, housing and regeneration projects rather than relying on annual government spending rounds. Multiple reports also suggest that Burnham wants the regions to have greater influence over business rates and locally generated revenue as part of a wider package of fiscal transfers.
What is financial planning?
Beyond constitutional reform, Burnham’s blueprint sets out a comprehensive strategy aimed at raising living standards over the next decade.His plan focuses on reindustrialisation, expanding housebuilding, investing in transport and infrastructure, improving utilities and encouraging private investment in areas that have historically received less economic support than London and the South East.Burnham repeatedly returns to the phrase “good growth in every postcode”, arguing that economic success should no longer be measured just by London’s performance, but by whether prosperity reaches every community across England.Another major proposal involves reforming public procurement so that government contracts bring greater benefits to British industry. Under Burnham’s vision, procurement would increasingly prioritize British businesses, apprenticeships, skilled jobs and broader social value, allowing public spending to support domestic manufacturing and employment rather than simply selecting the lowest-cost supplier.He also wants technical education to have the same status as university education, arguing that vocational qualifications and apprenticeships should be at the heart of Britain’s long-term industrial strategy.
tackling youth unemployment
One of Burnham’s most attractive proposals is the construction of “Number 10 North” in Manchester.Under the idea, part of the Prime Minister’s operation would be permanently based outside London, creating a symbolic and practical shift in national decision-making space. Burnham believes that devolving elements of government would demonstrate that economic renewal cannot be achieved while political power is overly concentrated in Westminster.Another key pillar of the plan focuses on tackling youth unemployment.Burnham wants the mayor to take a leading role in helping the almost one million young people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Rather than reducing welfare costs through benefit cuts, they argue that investing in skills, education and employment support would improve productivity as well as prevent long-term economic inactivity.The proposals closely align with the recommendations of former Labor minister Alan Milburn, whose review of youth inactivity concluded that local authorities should take more responsibility for supporting young people into work because fragmented national programs were failing many communities.
Can Burnham provide his perspective?
Burnham insisted that his program could deliver strong economic growth while remaining within Labour’s existing fiscal rules.His office says the blueprint is designed to “build Britain back up” by changing the country’s governance model rather than relying on big increases in public spending. Supporters, including Housing Secretary Steve Reid, say Burnham is committed to Labour’s fiscal discipline while pursuing more ambitious regional growth policies.However, critics argue that handing over powers alone will not solve Britain’s deep economic challenges. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has questioned whether Burnham’s proposals provide sufficient detail on funding and called for greater parliamentary scrutiny of her plans, while political opponents have challenged whether such sweeping reforms can be carried out during a period of tight public finances.If implemented, Burnham’s program would represent one of England’s most ambitious devolution agendas 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 blueprint ultimately becomes government policy will depend on political support in the coming weeks, but it has already placed devolution, regional development and local decision-making at the center of Britain’s economic debate.