Andy Burnham tipped to vow more money for the North and devolved mayors as he prepares for No10

Andy Burnham, now poised to become the UK's next Prime Minister, is set to make a game-changing announcement on Monday, promising to funnel significant money and power away from the central government in London directly to England's regions and their devolved mayors. Having recently returned to Parliament as the MP for Makerfield, this move marks his first major policy unveiling since becoming the clear front-runner for the Labour leadership, signaling a radical shift in how the country could be governed. This isn't just about shuffling budgets; it's a direct challenge to decades of centralized power and a continuation of the 'devolution revolution' he championed as Greater Manchester Mayor. His proposals, which are expected to include giving mayors more control over social housing, welfare, and post-16 education, would leverage the recently enacted English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. This act aims to standardize and expand regional governance, a stark contrast to the previous government's fragmented 'Levelling Up' agenda. Burnham's vision includes potentially moving parts of the Prime Minister's office to Manchester, dubbed a 'No10 of the North,' and even greater fiscal devolution, allowing regions to retain more local tax revenue. With Keir Starmer resignation paving the way, nominations for the Labour leadership open on July 9, and Burnham is heavily tipped for a swift coronation, possibly becoming Prime Minister by mid-July. His upcoming speech will set the tone for his premiership, testing the appetite of both his party and the public for such a profound decentralization of power. Observers will be watching for the specific financial mechanisms he proposes and the immediate reactions from Whitehall and other regional leaders. The success of this 'place-first' approach will define his early days in No10.