Angela Rayner Backs Burnham's Devolution Push as Labour Eyes 'No 10 North'

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 1

Rayner said the next prime minister must go "further and faster" on devolution, endorsing Andy Burnham's plan to shift power and money from Whitehall to local communities.
Speaking at a New Economics Foundation event on Wednesday, she said Labour had too often seemed to defend the status quo and warned it would not beat Nigel Farage's Reform UK "with caution."
Her backing adds weight to Burnham's leadership bid after he proposed a Manchester-based "No 10 North" and broader powers for mayors, arguing growth cannot be driven from Westminster alone.
Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, also praised Burnham's direction but said devolution should be paired with a stronger central operation in London, exposing a live debate over how far Whitehall itself must change.
The argument now reaches beyond Labour's succession contest to whether a Burnham premiership could deliver the sweeping transfer of power he calls the biggest rebalancing in British history.

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"No 10 North and the Devolution Act of 2026: Andy Burnham’s 10-Year Plan to Rewire UK Governance"

Overview

Andy Burnham is set to become the next Prime Minister, bringing a transformative vision for the UK through his 'No 10 North' devolution plan. This plan aims to decentralize power from Westminster by establishing a major government hub in Manchester, marking a real shift in where decisions are made. The goal is to empower local leaders with control over key public services like housing, welfare, and education, making government more responsive to communities. By moving authority closer to the people, Burnham’s approach seeks to reshape the political landscape and foster a more regionally focused administration.

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