Prime Minister Andy Burnham has established a new Downing Street North office in Manchester, intended to serve as a hub for national policy initiatives. Burnham is expected to work from the Heron House location in the city center weekly, alongside other ministers including Education Secretary Lucy Powell and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Louise Haigh.
Downing Street has stated that the operation will not incur additional costs for taxpayers. The running of No. 10 North will be funded through existing Cabinet Office budgets. Up to 300 civil servants are anticipated to join the operation by the end of next year. Burnham's spokesperson confirmed to reporters that there is no additional cost to taxpayers associated with the new office.