The Two Matts Andy Burnham revisited
Jan 26, 2026
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester and former Cabinet minister, reflects on devolving power beyond Westminster and a place-first approach to politics. He discusses fiscal ideas like local levies, rewiring Whitehall for northern influence, keeping talent in Manchester, and practical reforms in public spending and education. The conversation also touches on cultural identity and lessons from the pandemic.
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Map Education To Local Jobs Early
- Build alternative post-16 pathways (T-levels, BTECs, apprenticeships) tied to local job opportunities.
- The Greater Manchester Baccalaureate maps 14–18 choices to local digital and tech roles to lift life-chances.
Talent Flows Toward Northern Cities
- People and firms are relocating from London to Manchester because job quality plus lifestyle now compete with the capital.
- Burnham cites 13,000 Londoners moving to Greater Manchester in three years as evidence.
One North Builds Shared Regional Strategy
- The Convention of the North unites political and business leaders to craft a shared northern vision.
- Themes include creative industries, reindustrialisation, green energy and a Scotland-style regional collaboration.
