UK PM Andy Burnham opens No. 10 North hub, pushes written constitution

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office two weeks ago, has opened a new regional office in Manchester called “No. 10 North.” The hub is intended to shift part of the centre‑government’s functions away from Westminster and give local leaders more control over economic growth, transport and public services.

Burnham says the devolution plan, which will allow regional mayors to retain a share of income tax from 2028 and gain greater authority over business rates, strengthens the case for a codified, written constitution for the United Kingdom. He argues that the current uncodified system concentrates power in London and contributes to inequality. Critics have called the Manchester office a gimmick, but Burnham describes it as a “fundamental change” in how the country thinks about growth and investment.

The proposal follows a government policy document titled “Rewiring the State” and builds on Burnham’s former mayoral experience in Greater Manchester, where he promoted a model of business‑friendly socialism known as “Manchesterism.”