21st Aug 2026 12:25
(Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is deploying Whitehall officials to mayors' offices as part of his bid to shift powers out of Westminster.
The move will see between five and 10 civil servants seconded per mayoral authority in the pilot starting in the autumn.
The 18 mayors taking part in the initial programme will be able to request staff with particular skills as needed for the secondments lasting six to nine months.
Burnham said: "No10 North is putting more power into every postcode across the country so communities can unleash and unlock their own potential.
"I'm bringing together mayors from different political parties to work on these challenges, because people deserve problem-solving rather than point-scoring."
The prime minister held a virtual meeting with mayors from his No 10 North outpost in Manchester on Friday morning.
He also unveiled a new Civil Service fast stream pilot in Yorkshire & Humber, and the expansion of the Civil Service future leaders' scheme to mayoral and local authority officials.
First Secretary of State Louise Haigh said: "The days of Westminster hoarding power are over. This government has kickstarted the biggest transition of power and resources in a generation, taking it from Whitehall and putting it back in the hands of local communities."
By Helen Corbett, Press Association Political Correspondent
Press Association: News
source: PA
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