A temporary "No10 North" office has been opened in Manchester, with officials stating it is a move to decentralize government functions and bring power closer to communities outside of London. The initiative, championed by Andy Burnham, who has expressed personal significance for the move, aims to symbolize a shift in how government operates.
Prime Minister attended the opening, having traveled from Scotland on a government jet for a 38-minute flight. The Prime Minister defended the expenditure, questioning the cost of officials traveling to London for meetings and suggesting the new office would offer a more efficient alternative. A replica of the iconic No. 10 Downing Street door was present at the event, alongside Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh, Cabinet Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo, and Chancellor John Healey.
Burnham stated that opening the office in Manchester was a proud and fulfilling moment, recalling his past experiences of leaving the city to find employment due to a lack of opportunities. He described the "No10 North" initiative as an example of "putting power in every postcode" to enable local communities to drive change, drawing parallels with Manchester's own revitalization.
The current "No10 North" is being housed in Heron House, a government building in central Manchester that also accommodates GCHQ, a pub, and a register office. Security at the site has been significantly enhanced, with armed police present.
While the government asserts that the running of the office will be covered by existing Cabinet Office budgets and incur no additional costs to taxpayers, some experts have raised concerns about the potential expense of the security measures and transport arrangements. The permanent base for "No10 North" is planned for a five-acre site, with construction expected to begin in the coming years. This permanent facility is not anticipated to be operational until 2032, which is after the next general election is scheduled.
The Treasury had previously approved the outline case for a civil service 'digital campus' in Manchester in March of the current year, a project that has been in development since 2017.