The short version
- No10 North has launched fifty external job advertisements, adding significant personnel to the Manchester-based government outpost.
- Officials state the hiring aims to decentralize decision-making and support local mayors, while critics argue it increases bureaucracy without clear funding transparency.
- The office is scheduled to relocate to a permanent city center building in spring 2027, sharing space with other departments.
The United Kingdom government has initiated a substantial expansion of its administrative presence in Manchester, signaling a deepening commitment to decentralizing political power away from London. No10 North, the prime minister’s northern counterpart to Downing Street, has published fifty new job advertisements for external candidates. This recruitment drive represents a significant scaling up of the office, which was established by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in July as a central mechanism for devolving authority across the country.
The newly advertised positions span various functions, including strategy, communications, policy development, and private office support. Among the most prominent roles is that of a deputy director for 'rewiring the state,' a position carrying a salary band between £86,000 and £117,000. This individual will lead a unit dedicated to shaping the government’s approach to devolution across different departments. The expansion brings the total staff count at No10 North to approximately 120 individuals, which is nearly half the size of the London-based Downing Street team.
Financial details regarding the hiring spree have drawn scrutiny. Calculations indicate that basic salaries for these new roles could total up to £2.8 million, excluding employer pension contributions which stand at 28.97 percent within the civil service. Government sources maintain that these positions will be funded through existing budgets, with no redundancies planned elsewhere in the civil service. Instead, some roles are expected to be relocated from London, while other vacant posts may remain unfilled or be closed entirely.
Proponents of the initiative argue that the expanded workforce is essential for achieving meaningful structural change. The government describes No10 North as driving the most significant transfer of power out of Westminster in a generation. Officials emphasize that new recruits will collaborate with local mayors and councils to identify and remove barriers hindering regional development. The stated goal is to bring fresh perspectives and local knowledge into decision-making processes, thereby moving authority closer to the communities affected by policy choices.
However, the expansion has faced sharp criticism from political opponents. Conservative Party deputy leader Alex Burghart characterized the office as a gimmick, arguing that it contradicts promises to streamline the civil service. He suggested that the hiring represents unnecessary bureaucracy funded at taxpayer expense, particularly noting the lack of clarity regarding where the money is coming from. Shadow cabinet minister Mike Wood echoed these concerns, highlighting what he described as a lack of transparency surrounding headcounts and office attendance figures.
Operational details of the new roles include expectations for staff to be present in the Manchester office at least 60 percent of the time, with exceptions for certain positions. The office has already begun hosting significant events, including summits with regional mayors and meetings with international leaders such as Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Some of these gatherings have utilized video conferencing technology, reflecting a hybrid approach to engagement. Recent meetings also saw the unveiling of controversial powers allowing English mayors to charge fees on overnight visitor stays.
The physical infrastructure supporting this administrative shift is also evolving. The government confirmed that No10 North will move from its current temporary location in Heron House on Albert Square to a new permanent office on First Street in spring 2027. This new facility will house multiple government departments, including those responsible for business, education, local government, and the Cabinet Office. The relocation is intended to solidify Manchester’s status as a hub for national governance outside of London.
Internal assessments suggest that achieving the office’s goals requires more than just structural changes. Duncan Parish, the deputy director of No10 North, recently called for a mindset shift across central government to overcome institutional challenges. He emphasized that delivering on devolution aims involves navigating complex bureaucratic hurdles. As the office continues to grow and prepare for its move, it remains a focal point in the broader debate over how effectively power can be redistributed within the United Kingdom’s political landscape.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC News↗Burnham's Number 10 North goes on multi-million pound hiring spree
