Burnham to spend his first day at 'No10 North' in Manchester as he insists it is 'not a gimmick' - despite proper office not opening until 2032

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 17:14, 21 July 2026 | Updated: 17:19, 21 July 2026 Andy Burnham is set to spend his first day at 'No10 North' this week as he denies the idea is a 'gimmick'. The new PM has been trumpeting his determination to devolve power away from Westminster. The so-called 'King of the North' is adamant he will work from Manchester - where his family lives and he used to be mayor - at least one day a week. Downing Street confirmed this afternoon that will begin on Friday. However, construction has not even started yet on the site earmarked to become the premier's base in the city, and it will not be operational until 2032. Instead Mr Burnham is planning to head for an existing Government office, with signs that security is already being ramped up. There is a pub in the same building. No10 insisted that there would be no extra costs to the taxpayer, but experts have warned that the bill for fortifying an office for the PM and providing round-the-clock armed police will be eye-watering. Downing Street and much of the Government estate in Whitehall is entirely closed off from the public. Andy Burnham is planning to head for an existing Government office in Manchester, with signs that security is already being ramped up No10 insisted that there would be no extra costs to the taxpayer, but experts have warned that the bill for fortifying an office for the PM and providing round-the-clock armed police will be eye-watering According to the PM's official spokesman, Mr Burnham told Cabinet that No10 North is 'not a gimmick' The so-called 'King of the North' is adamant he will work from Manchester - where his family lives and he used to be mayor - at least one day a week  Construction has not even started yet on the site earmarked to become the premier's base in the city, and it will not be operational until 2032  The Treasury approved the 'outline case' for the civil service 'digital campus' in Manchester in March this year, after being in development since the council acquired the disused retail park in 2017.  Construction is due to get going at the five-acre site over the coming years but the 'target' for it becoming operational is not until 2032 - three years after the latest date for the next general election.  At that stage around 8,800 civil servants are meant to be based at the 900,000 square foot venue.  According to the PM's official spokesman, Mr Burnham told Cabinet that No10 North is 'not a gimmick'. 'He said the time for resisting devolution was over, and it was very clear that this was the direction the Government was heading in to speed up growth and delivery,' the spokesman added. The spokesman said: 'Staff are already working in the new No10 North. This includes staff from Manchester and those who have come in from around the country. 'It is based at existing UK Government offices in Central Manchester and you can expect more updates in due course.' The official also said: 'The running of No10 North will be covered by existing Cabinet Office budgets. There is no additional cost to taxpayers.' On the question of relocation packages for London-based personnel to move there, he said it is 'standard practice' for employers to support staff required to relocate. The spokesman said numbers would be detailed in due course, adding: 'We already have around 80,000 civil servants based in the North West of England, with around 700 roles moved from London to Manchester' last year. Mr Burnham 'expects to work from No10 North at least one day a week,' his spokesman said, while caveating that his diary could change depending on the business of Government. Not all locals are delighted at the prospect of the 'No10 North' hub appearing.  An artist's impression of the 'digital campus' slated to be built in Manchester  Mr Burnham judged mock-ups of his promised 'No10 North' on TikTok recently - but he might not even be in power to see it up and running One response received by the council to the plans in 2024 said: 'The proposal represents extremely dull architecture and great big massive blank wall facing the 'new park'.' Another warned: 'The buildings are too tall for this site and would dominate.  'It is much taller than the retail park that was here before it and which should be the guide for any further development. There is also very real danger of overcrowding in this area of the city now.'