Lead

Andy Burnham, the man widely expected to become Britain’s next prime minister, has vowed to establish a No 10 North in Manchester as the “nerve centre of a rewired Britain,” promising the “biggest rebalancing of power our country has ever seen.” In a speech at the People’s History Museum in Manchester, Burnham set out a sweeping devolution agenda aimed at spreading wealth and economic growth beyond London and the south of England.

Burnham, who is expected to take over from Keir Starmer on 20 July unless challenged for the Labour leadership, said the Westminster system was “broken” and that “more of the same” would not improve living standards or restore faith in politics. His address was intended to show the direction he would take the country and reassure Labour MPs and voters who may feel he is untested.

Coverage comparison

Coverage of Burnham’s speech varied in emphasis, with outlets focusing on the scale of the challenge posed by regional inequality, the specifics of his devolution plans, and the symbolism of the No 10 North hub.

The Guardian’s reporting placed Burnham’s promises against the backdrop of a Resolution Foundation report showing that Britain’s regional income divide has barely changed in 30 years. The foundation said almost no progress had been made since 1997 in tackling stark divisions in household income between the richest and poorest parts of the country. The Guardian also reported that the UK’s “levelling-up” related spending in 2022 was £4bn, compared to Germany’s £70bn annual allocation for post-cold war reintegration, a comparison that underscores the scale of investment Burnham would need to match.

Other Guardian articles focused on Burnham’s vision itself, portraying his speech as a positive blueprint for “good growth in every postcode” and a “biggest rebalancing of power.” These reports highlighted his promise to reform Whitehall and empower local communities, as well as his intention to stick to Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules.

The South China Morning Post took an informative angle, reporting that Burnham outlined plans to give more powers to local government, replicating nationally the approach he took in Manchester, where he harnessed private and public money to invest in transport, housing, and infrastructure. The outlet noted that Burnham aimed to bring voters, colleagues, and financial markets up to speed with his ideas during his rapid progress towards power.

Key claims

  • Burnham pledged to achieve “good growth in every postcode” as part of a 10-year vision, as reported by multiple outlets.
  • He promised to set up No 10 North as the “nerve centre of a rewired Britain,” a claim carried by at least one Guardian report and echoed in others.
  • Burnham said he would deliver the “biggest rebalancing of power” in the UK, a claim reported by the Guardian.
  • He said he would stick to Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules, a pledge reported by the Guardian.
  • The Resolution Foundation reported that Britain’s regional income divide has barely changed in 30 years, with almost no progress since 1997 in tackling household income disparities, as reported by the Guardian.
  • The UK’s “levelling-up” related spending in 2022 was £4bn, compared to Germany’s £70bn annual allocation for post-cold war reintegration, a comparison reported by the Guardian.

Perspectives

Andy Burnham (Labour)

Burnham argues that the current system is “broken” and that a “more of the same” approach will not suffice. He promises the “biggest rebalancing of power” through a No 10 North hub, devolution of powers by default, and a programme of public ownership and regeneration. He frames his plan as a “new direction” that will improve living standards and restore faith in politics, while reassuring that he will respect fiscal discipline.

Resolution Foundation

The Resolution Foundation, as reported by the Guardian, highlights that regional income disparities have persisted for three decades despite government promises. The foundation says that to overcome this, Burnham would need to “get serious” about investment in transport, housing, and regeneration projects. The foundation’s data shows that the gap between London and Northern Ireland in gross household disposable income per person has remained three-fifths, and that many of the poorest areas in 1997 were still the poorest in 2023.