Andy Burnham's Number 10 North launches multi-million pound hiring spree in Manchester
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Manchester-based Number 10 North office has launched a multi-million pound hiring spree, advertising 50 external job roles including a rewiring the state deputy director. BBC Politics calculations indicate basic salaries total up to #2.8m. While government sources state roles will be funded from existing budgets with no civil service redundancies, the Conservative opposition has criticized the expansion as an expensive bureaucratic gimmick.
Key points
- Number 10 North in Manchester launched 50 external job adverts as part of a multi-million pound hiring spree.
- Basic salaries for the new roles total up to #2.8m, excluding 28.97% employer pension contributions, according to BBC Politics calculations.
- Government sources state the roles will be funded from existing budgets with no civil service redundancies elsewhere.
- The Conservative Party criticized the office as a gimmick, with deputy leader Alex Burghart accusing the government of failing to explain funding sources.
- Number 10 North is scheduled to move from Heron House to a permanent location on First Street in spring 2027.
What happened
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Manchester-based office, Number 10 North, has launched 50 external job advertisements as part of a multi-million pound recruitment campaign. The newly advertised roles cover areas including strategy, communications, engagement, private office, and policy.
Among the highest paid positions is a rewiring the state deputy director role, with a salary band ranging from #86,000 to #117,000. BBC Politics has calculated that the basic salaries for all fifty new posts total up to #2.8m, not including civil service employer pension contributions of 28.97 percent.
Who said what
Government sources stated that the new positions will be financed out of existing budgets and that there will be no redundancies elsewhere in the civil service, with some roles expected to be relocated and other vacant positions closed. The government described the expansion as a way to bring fresh perspectives and move decisions closer to affected citizens, adding that Number 10 North is driving the most significant transfer of power out of Westminster in a generation.
Conservative opposition figures strongly criticized the move. Conservative Party deputy leader Alex Burghart described the office as a gimmick, stating that Burnham promised to streamline the civil service while hiring extra staff without clarifying the funding source. Additionally, Tory shadow cabinet minister Mike Wood argued there is a lack of transparency regarding headcounts and office attendance figures.
Context
Opened by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in July as a sister office to London's Downing Street, Number 10 North currently employs 120 staff members. The office expects staff to be present in the office a minimum of 60 percent of the time, subject to certain exceptions.
The government confirmed on Friday that Number 10 North will relocate from its temporary home in Heron House on Albert Square to a new government office situated on First Street in spring 2027, sharing the building with other departments including business, education, local government, and the Cabinet Office.
What happens next
Recruitment for the newly advertised positions is underway as Number 10 North continues its regional operations, which have previously included hosting summits with regional mayors and school leaders, as well as meetings with international officials.
Why it matters
Number 10 North's expansion adds 50 new roles totaling up to #2.8m in basic salaries, drawing scrutiny from Conservative critics over transparency and funding while the government defends the regional office as essential for devolution.
What we know
- Number 10 North launched 50 external job adverts, including a rewiring the state deputy director role with a salary band of #86,000 to #117,000.
- BBC Politics calculated basic salaries for the advertised roles total up to #2.8m, excluding 28.97% employer pension contributions.
- Number 10 North currently has 120 staff members.
- Number 10 North is scheduled to move from Heron House to First Street in spring 2027.
- Government sources stated the new roles will be funded from existing budgets with no civil service redundancies.
What remains unclear
- Conservative critics allege that the government has not revealed where the money for the extra staff is coming from and claim the office is a gimmick.
- Tory shadow cabinet minister Mike Wood stated there is little transparency around headcounts and office attendance figures.
How the story developed
Number 10 North launches multi-million pound hiring spree
Andy Burnham's Number 10 North office in Manchester launches 50 external job adverts totaling up to #2.8m in basic salaries.
Original source
