Civil servants currently working in London are being incentivized with relocation packages to shift their operations to the North of England. This initiative marks the launch of a secondary Downing Street office, referred to as No 10 North, which has begun operations in central Manchester’s Heron House.
Heron House, a facility also shared by GCHQ, currently serves as the base for this new branch. Looking ahead, the government intends to move these operations to a permanent site at a Digital Campus under development in the Ancoats district. However, construction for this facility is not expected to conclude until 2032.
While official details remain sparse, a report from the Re:State think tank outlines a potential strategy for the office. The plan advocates for hiring roughly 300 staff members within a year and a half, drawing from talent in Greater Manchester and Northern England. Proposed staff transfers include personnel from the Treasury, the Cabinet Office, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Furthermore, internal staff from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority are expected to transition to the new office. Reports indicate that several senior officials have already agreed to join the No 10 North team. Though Prime Minister Andy Burnham has not made formal announcements regarding leadership, the think tank suggests appointing a specific secretary of state to oversee the new branch.
