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Posted: Wed 1st Jul 2026
9 min read
Andy Burnham would be the first Prime Minister born in Northern England (he was born in Aintree, Liverpool) since Harold Wilson, more than 60 years ago. And it could happen as early as 20 July.
When he set out his vision for government this week, this so-called “Manchesterism” economic perspective was very clear:
“It is time for Whitehall to accept that growth cannot be ordered from the top down. It can only be nurtured from the bottom up.”
He went on to say:
"It comes from running sound finances, as we have done here in Greater Manchester, which in turn gives businesses the stability and the confidence to invest, increasing their productivity and adoption of new technology.
“It comes from placing our universities at the heart of local economies, as all the mayors do, and bringing the innovation-led approach through start-ups and scale-ups.”
Later in the speech, he said:
“Our reindustrialisation plan will back our scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs and creatives to show how Britain will be the innovation nation of the next decade."
It was about vision for a "rewired Britain” as well as a call to modernise British industry to drive economic progress. He emphasised his belief that the UK is too centralised and called for a more ‘streamlined state’ and a No 10 in the North.
For a sole trader or a small firm, the question is – how might this impact business?
We’ve looked at his record as Mayor of Greater Manchester to identify any themes that we think could be part of his new economic model.
Andy promised to reform business rates and revive the high street, with more homes in town centres to bring back footfall.
For shops, cafes and service firms, this is promising news. Rates are a fixed cost that does not flex when trade is slow and is a key barrier to sustainable growth and profitability.
In Greater Manchester, he accomplished this by prioritising town centre regeneration through a £1bn Good Growth Fund, aimed at new homes, jobs and employment space across all ten boroughs.
He wants essentials like energy, water and transport under greater public control, to bring costs down for households and firms.
In Greater Manchester, he brought buses back under public control through the Bee Network, capped single fares at £2, and kept any profit in the system rather than with private operators.
Lower running costs would help margins. But utilities reform is a long game, and the speech said little about how or when business bills would fall.
Andy said public contracts should carry proper social value weighting, favour British-based suppliers and back apprenticeships, with more 45-day work placements for young people.
The Procurement Act 2023 has already introduced social value rules, stipulating that contracts should be awarded based on the most ‘advantageous tender’, replacing the ‘most economically advantageous tender’, but could a procurement system under Andy go further?
His words come following a report last week that £1 in every £11 went to private equity-owned firms.
We have long argued that public spending should be easier for small firms to win. Our Supply Connect initiative has already helped more than 1,000 small firms in the first six months, seeing some awarded multiple six-figure contracts in some instances. The test is whether the new rules open the door or quietly raise the bar, and if small firms can offer the 45-day placements required to qualify.
He wants parity between technical and academic routes, and employment support handed to regions rather than run from Whitehall.
In Greater Manchester, he built technical education around the MBacc, where more than 350 employers offer T Level placements of at least 45 days.
For employers, that points to a steadier pipeline of young people with real workplace experience – but also means they must be able to provide that training.
Much of this runs through what Andy calls "No 10 North," a plan to push money and decisions out to regions and mayors.
In Greater Manchester, that looked like a free, publicly funded, award-winning business support service used by more than 120,000 firms, including help for people moving into self-employment, plus a set of industrial clusters built around local strengths. This cluster model also exists in the West Midlands Combined Authority.
If that model goes national, support may increasingly sit with regions, not Whitehall.
Manchester-based Enterprise Nation member John Ardern was less than impressed.
He said:
“[Andy Burnham] said very little about supporting private sector businesses at all, we are the sector that determines growth, makes the money to pay the taxes that pay for the public sector he is becoming responsible for!
"Reduce taxes, reduce the size of the state, reduce welfare spending, encourage more new businesses, new risk takers, more self-employment, and more personal responsibilities and less reliance on the state and especially politicians.”
Enterprise Nation member and growth mentor Julie Wong, based in London, said:
“I am feeling very sceptical. So far, the Government has been using the business the sector like a cash cow without real understanding of the challenges the micro and SME sector face.
"I live in a borough that is considered 'rich' however the businesses and high street are struggling like everywhere else. The larger chains that have recently gone bust have obviously disappeared and there are empty units.
"The focus on funds to other regions is needed but also, don't kill the businesses that that are already in existence and on the sick list, before any new ones have been born in other areas.”
Sussex-based marketing expert Kelly O’Haire said:
“As someone based in Sussex, devolution is a hot topic here! The north/south divide has always pained me somewhat as I've seen a huge amount of deprivation in what many believe to be affluent counties.
"If Burnham can deliver fairer representation across the board, then I'm for it, but it's not just the north that needs more support.”
Natalie Fletcher, founder of micro manufacturing firm Mancmade based in Trafford, said:
“I’m currently reflecting on Andy Burnham's speech, but what truly resonates with me is the positive influence that sewing and production can have. Having spent several years in creative and production training, I feel inspired by experiences similar to those from my youth.
"My company focuses on providing training that fosters job creation and promotes mental wellbeing. Collaborating with various community-focused organisations, such as Bluesci Support I have sought support from several agencies over the years to help advance this initiative. It would be wonderful if Andy could endorse our efforts, highlighting the economic value of what we're striving to achieve.”
Daniel Woolf, head of policy at Enterprise Nation, said:
“We admire the ambition to build growth from the bottom up.
“The reality is that's exactly how many small businesses already operate. Every day they're creating jobs, revitalising high streets, adopting new technologies and developing solutions to local challenges, often with little recognition or support.
"Helping these businesses to innovate, invest and become more productive is one of the quickest ways to strengthen local economies across the UK, while cheerleading entrepreneurs, wherever they are, at every opportunity whether they are science, technology or a local high street bakery.”
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