Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Andy Burnham’s office in Manchester, known as Number 10 North, has recently embarked on a large-scale recruitment effort, advertising dozens of new positions with a combined value of several million pounds. Established by the prime minister in July, the Manchester outpost is intended to operate alongside the main Downing Street headquarters in London. So far, around 50 new external vacancies have been announced, including a key role titled “rewiring the state deputy director.”
Officials emphasize that funding for these new appointments will come from existing government budgets. The incoming staff will focus on collaborating with local mayors and councils to identify and dismantle obstacles that impede regional development. Despite these intentions, Conservative critics have dismissed the initiative as merely a “gimmick.” The BBC has been assured that this expansion will not result in civil service redundancies, as some jobs will be relocated to Manchester and other vacancies simultaneously closed.
The newly advertised roles, all based in Manchester, span various departments such as strategy, communications, engagement, private office, and policy. Basic salaries for these positions are estimated to total approximately £2.8 million, excluding pension contributions, which add nearly 29% to the overall costs. Currently, No10 North employs 120 staff, nearly half the number working at No10 London. Among the highest-paid roles is the “rewiring the state deputy director,” with a salary range of £86,000 to £117,000. This individual will oversee the Rewiring the State Unit and guide government efforts to devolve power across multiple departments.
The government has framed No10 North as a vital element of decentralizing decision-making, aiming to “bring fresh perspectives and knowledge of the places they serve” and bring power “closer to the people they affect.” In an official statement, the office was described as “driving the most significant transfer of power out of Westminster in a generation.”
In addition to full-time roles, the recruitment drive includes apprenticeships and secondments. The government also confirmed plans for No10 North to move from its temporary location at Heron House in Manchester’s Albert Square to a new building on First Street by spring 2027. This new site will be shared with other government departments, including those responsible for business, education, local government, and the Cabinet Office.
Burnham highlighted the opening of No10 North as one of his initial priorities as prime minister, calling the office “the nerve-centre of a rewired Britain” intended to support economic growth beyond London. Speaking recently, No10 North’s deputy director Duncan Parish acknowledged the “institutional challenges” involved in achieving these aims and urged a “mindset shift” across central government to make progress.
However, the expansion has met criticism from Conservative figures. Deputy Party leader Alex Burghart accused Burnham of increasing bureaucracy while failing to clarify funding sources, stating, “Manchesterism is just more bureaucracy at taxpayers’ expense.” Tory shadow cabinet minister Mike Wood also raised concerns about the lack of transparency, noting that ministers refused to provide data on staff numbers and office attendance related to No10 North.
The government expects the majority of No10 North staff to spend at least 60% of their working time in the office, with some exceptions. Since opening, the Manchester office has hosted summits involving regional mayors, sometimes held partly via video conferencing. These meetings have included the announcement of controversial mayoral powers to impose new fees on overnight visitors in England. Furthermore, No10 North has organized a summit with school leaders and marked the first meeting between Burnham and the Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin since Burnham’s appointment as prime minister
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.