The biggest transfer of power from the centre, described as “the biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen” and “the biggest change in our lifetimes to the way the country is run”.
Creation of a “No 10 North”, an extended Prime Minister’s Office operation based in Manchester, described as “the nerve centre for a rewired Britain” and “the conduit through which we redistribute power and resources across the UK”. Its job will be to “make power flow into the Midlands, into the South West, into the East of England and, yes, into London” as well as the North.
A new “Makerfield Test” at the heart of decision-making.
Extending devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by “taking power deeper down”.
A mission to “strive for equivalent living conditions in all parts of Britain – borrowing from the German Basic Law”.
Requiring all government departments and agencies to support strategic and local authorities with staffing and resources, declaring “the days of Whitehall fighting the devolution of power into the regions and nations are over, for good”.
Reform of the whip system, “Letting MPs be authentic representatives and not using the whip system to create fear or close down debate.”
Economy and growth
A vision of “Good growth in every British postcode”, rejecting the “old trickle-down model”, which he brands “Manchesterism”.
A 10-year mission built on three tasks: “Reform of essential utilities / Reindustrialisation / And the regeneration of places.”
Commitment to retaining fiscal discipline, backed by “sound public finances, as I said before, and the discipline of our current fiscal rules”.
More powers for London “over education and housing, so that London can do more for itself”.
Utilities
Enabling all parts of the UK to “take greater public control of essential services like water, housing, energy and transport”, modelled on Greater Manchester bus franchising.
10-year plans “to bring down the cost of these essentials – to individuals, families and businesses”.
Reindustrialisation and procurement
Supporting every region to set industrial ambitions and helping all areas “establish Good Growth Funds, as we have done here in Greater Manchester”.
Reform of public procurement, with “all eligible public contracts … subject to proper social value weighting” to favour British-based companies, applying fully to the Defence Investment Plan.
Safeguarding “sovereign manufacturing and production capability across the country in critical sectors like steel, defence, energy, food and farming”.
Education and young people
Ending a school system “configured entirely around the university route”, building one based on “parity between academic and technical”.
Requiring “a much greater supply of 45-day work placements and apprenticeships for young people” from public contracts.
Mental health support provided “as part of in-work support”.
Welfare and employment
Devolution of employment support to mayors, working through the community and voluntary sector and “Working with organisations people trust to help them – rather than going to places they fear.”
A pledge to “reduce the welfare bill in a way that is fair and lasting and helps people move forward”.
Housing
“the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period”, using vacant public land to cut costs.
Adopting a “national Housing First philosophy as has been pioneered so successfully in Finland”.
Higher density residential development in towns, plus support to turn around “towns, high streets and local centres”.
High streets and business
Business rates reform “to support pubs and high street businesses”.
An ambition to make high streets “the symbols of Britain’s renaissance”.
Cost of living
A commitment to “give Britain some breathing space as soon as I can” on rising costs, while “not taking risks with the public finances”.
Lord Khan in the Telegraph: “I hope, and I say this in a non-pompous way, that the public service I do will bring rewards in this world and the hereafter,” he says. “I’m hoping the work I do is earning me Brownie points.”
