The UK government is planning to establish a new Downing Street office in Manchester, in a move aimed at decentralizing civil service operations. The proposal includes a recruitment plan to hire approximately 300 staff from Greater Manchester and the wider North of England within 18 months.
This initiative involves transferring teams from various Whitehall departments, including the Treasury, Cabinet Office, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Several of these departments are currently led by secretaries of state who represent constituencies in the North of England.
Whitehall officials who are willing to relocate to Manchester have been informed that relocation packages will be provided, according to the BBC. It is also anticipated that there will be a significant number of staff joining from Andy Burnham's former mayoral team at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
Reports indicate that at least three senior figures have already agreed to work at the new Downing Street North office. Some GMCA staff reportedly learned of their colleagues' impending move after seeing them on television greeting the new prime minister in Downing Street.
The plan, referred to as the Re:State blueprint, also suggests the appointment of a secretary of state to oversee operations at Downing Street North, with support from a junior minister based in the city. However, no formal announcement regarding these specific roles has been made by Burnham.
Further details concerning these changes are expected to be formally disclosed later, potentially in the House of Lords, as government appointments continue to be finalized.