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Duncan Parish, the deputy director of Number 10 North, emphasized the necessity for a “mindset shift” within central government to overcome the institutional hurdles hindering progress. Speaking at a conference in Lincolnshire, Parish highlighted how government departments often encounter friction due to overlapping but slightly conflicting goals, which complicates the delivery of effective change. Set up by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in July, Number 10 North operates as the Manchester-based counterpart to the London headquarters of Number 10 Downing Street, with a remit covering a broad range of national issues such as health, education, transport, and social care.
Number 10 North was established with the aim of devolving power and accountability closer to local regions, a strategy that Parish acknowledged requires reforms within the civil service itself. According to him, a critical part of this reform is breaking down the traditional separation between national, regional, and local government, thereby promoting a more integrated approach. Parish explained that part of Number 10 North’s mission is to tackle obstacles within government where departmental boundaries may cause delays or block progress. He described the experience of working within government as occasionally slow and difficult, and argued that achieving meaningful change depends on everyone adopting a new way of thinking, focused on collaborative, cross-boundary engagement.
Despite these ambitions, Number 10 North has faced criticism from political opponents. Conservative shadow minister Mike Wood has labeled the office a “gimmick,” raising concerns about a lack of transparency with regard to costs and staffing. Wood challenged government ministers to provide clear details on the budget, workforce size, and attendance figures, none of which have yet been disclosed. Additionally, Cabinet Office minister Sally Jameson noted that the government does not centrally track expenses related to hotels for staff commuting between London and Manchester. She confirmed these costs are absorbed within existing departmental budgets, but exact figures remain unreported.
Looking ahead, Number 10 North continues to host important gatherings such as its summit of regional mayors, referred to as its “situation room,” which is scheduled for Thursday. Prime Minister Burnham has indicated his intention to work from the Manchester office at least weekly and has used the space to host international visitors, including the Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin in September. Parish concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of measuring success not by internal metrics alone but by the tangible benefits felt by communities across the UK: enhanced opportunities, improved living standards, more efficient services, and a stronger local voice influencing the future of their areas
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