"Imagine a Britain where there is growth and hope in every postcode."
That was Andy Burnham's vision as he unveiled plans for a "Number 10 North"
The former Manchester mayor used his first major speech since returning to Westminster to unveil an ambitious economic blueprint
This would hand sweeping new powers over housing, transport, investment and public spending to England's regions.
Watch my speech LIVE at 11:30am 👇🏻 https://t.co/Zlbc3GbbJF
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) June 29, 2026
Calling it "a 10-year mission to raise living standards across the land," Burnham said the reforms would rebalance Britain's economy, cut the cost of essential services and oversee the biggest council house building programme since the post-war era.
"Number 10 North" explained
Burnham said the proposed Number 10 North would become the "nerve centre of a rewired Britain".
This would coordinate national and local government to deliver a long-term economic strategy focused on regional growth, lower household costs and reindustrialisation.
He said: "Number 10 North will be the conduit through which we redistribute power and resources across the UK.
"It will coordinate all parts of government at national and local level to agree a long-term economic strategy and help all places set new growth ambitions."
Burnham, the MP for Makerfield who has previously been the MP for Leigh, said the aim would be to achieve "equivalent living conditions in all parts of Britain", arguing economic opportunity should no longer depend on where someone lives.
He also pledged to end what he described as years of resistance from Whitehall to regional devolution.
"The days of Whitehall fighting the devolution of power into the regions and nations are over for good," he said.
"I have had 10 years of fighting the Whitehall machine, blocking this place's progress. The whole of Whitehall will now be required to get behind our places and work together with them to make quicker, more joined-up decisions."
The proposals include giving regions greater control over essential services, with Burnham promising 10-year plans to reduce the cost of water, housing, energy and transport for households and businesses.
"We will ensure all parts of the UK are able to take greater public control of essential services like water, housing, energy and transport. We will set out 10-year plans to bring down the cost of these essentials to individuals, families and businesses."
His economic strategy also focuses heavily on reindustrialisation, backing advanced manufacturing, science and technology, and encouraging greater collaboration between regional economies.
"We will consolidate public and private investment at a place-based level and help all areas establish good growth funds.
"We can be the world's leading innovation nation.
"This is the key to higher growth, and I want more world-beating British manufacturers and service providers at the frontier of new technology and exporting to the world."
The biggest council house building programme in generations
Housing was also placed at the centre of Burnham's economic vision, with the former Mayor arguing that Britain's housing crisis is damaging both families and the country's finances.
He said the UK had lost almost 1.5 million council homes since the 1980s, while a similar number of people now remain stuck on housing waiting lists.
Burnham argued soaring private rents have forced governments to spend billions through the benefits system instead of investing in new homes.
He said: "Britain's housing crisis is having a ruinous impact on its public finances.
"We are forced to chase rents in the private rented sector through the benefits system.
"When governments try to control these costs by freezing Local Housing Allowance, it makes families homeless and places unfunded pressures on councils when they have to pay for temporary accommodation."
"People need hope"
As part of his Number 10 North plan, Burnham pledged to work with local authorities to oversee the biggest council house building programme since the post-war era,
He argued that building more affordable homes would reduce welfare spending while improving living standards.
The proposal forms part of a wider economic strategy that also includes giving regions greater powers over transport, housing, energy and investment decisions, alongside creating regional "good growth funds" to back local industries and innovation.
Tax expert: Burnham's plans could reshape the UK's financial system
Sean Bannister, Head of Tax at Edwin Coe LLP, said Burnham's speech should be viewed as a major economic policy announcement rather than simply a devolution proposal.
He said: "Andy Burnham's plans would likely lead to a fundamental reshaping of how the UK economy is managed in a more interventionist manner, and that means significant implications for investment, taxation and public spending.
"It's about much more than the location of government departments.
"Greater fiscal powers for regions could mean different approaches to taxation, investment incentives and economic policy across England.
"That creates opportunities for regions to compete and innovate, but it also risks adding complexity for businesses operating nationally if the framework is not carefully designed.
"The housing proposals are also significant from a public finance perspective.
"Burnham is effectively arguing that building more council housing is not simply a social policy but an economic one, reducing long-term housing benefit costs and pressure on local authority budgets."
What do you think of Andy Burnham's Number 10 North proposal? Let us know in the comments.
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