Liverpool business lobbying and networking group Downtown in Business welcomes likely next prime minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to further devolution. Tony McDonough reports
Andy Burnham’s first major policy speech may have been light on detail but Liverpool business lobbying group Downtown in Business (DIB) has welcomed the commitment to further devolution.
In Manchester on Monday Mr Burnham, the newly-elected Labour MP for Makerfield, set out his stall ahead of his expected coronation as Labour Party leader. Barring any expected hitches it is likely the former Greater Manchester Mayor will become prime minister by the end of July.
Much of what he said was conceptual rather than detailed and he refused to take questions from the media. There was a commitment to further devolution, plans for a ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester and a pledge to build more council homes.
There was enough in the speech to please Frank McKenna, chair and chief executive of Downtown, which operates across the UK. He welcomed the speech as a “significant contribution to the debate on how Britain can unlock economic growth”.
“Andy Burnham has set out an ambitious vision that places economic growth, devolution and partnership with business at the heart of Government,” said Frank.
“His recognition that Whitehall cannot continue to dictate Britain’s economic future, and that cities, regions and local leaders must be empowered to drive growth, is something Downtown in Business has long argued.
“His commitment to stronger mayoral leadership, greater local decision-making, long-term industrial strategy, investment in skills, regeneration and housing are all welcome.
“Perhaps most encouragingly, he has made it clear that business is not the problem to be managed, but a partner in delivering prosperity.”
Although dismissed as a gimmick by some commentators, Frank insisted Mr Burnham’s proposal for a Number Ten North and a fundamental rebalancing of power away from Whitehall had the potential to become “one of the most significant constitutional and economic reforms in a generation”.
Frank added: “If government genuinely trusts local leaders, businesses and communities to shape their own economic futures, Britain will become a stronger, more competitive and more productive country.”
However, he cautioned that the business community would now be looking for detail behind the vision.
He explained: “This was an excellent speech, but speeches do not create jobs or unlock investment. Businesses now want to see the practical measures that will make this vision a reality.
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“That means meaningful business rates reform, faster planning decisions, support for the hospitality and visitor economy, investment in infrastructure, a long-term industrial strategy, and genuine fiscal devolution for our city regions and Combined Authorities.
“We will need to have some patience and give Andy Burnham and his new team time to develop and implement their ideas too.”