Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has proposed a UK-wide economic strategy called "Manchesterism" to increase national living standards [1].
The plan seeks to reverse a long-term economic decline by shifting power away from central government and toward local authorities. This approach aims to spark growth through regional autonomy rather than top-down mandates.
Burnham detailed the vision during an interview on France 24's "People & Profit" programme that aired on June 2, 2026 [1]. The strategy is framed as a 10-year pro-growth plan [2]. According to Burnham, this timeline is necessary to address the systemic stagnation of living standards that has persisted since the 2008 global financial crisis [1].
The "Manchesterism" model focuses on giving local governments more control over their economic destinies. By pursuing locally-led growth policies, Burnham said the UK could better address the specific needs of different regions rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution from London [2].
Reuters reported on the vision on June 19, 2026, noting that Burnham also delivered remarks in London regarding the implementation of these policies [3]. The proposal emphasizes that the UK's economic prospects depend on a fundamental shift in how power is distributed across the country.
Burnham said the objective is to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are felt more broadly across the UK. This involves a commitment to raising the baseline of living standards for citizens who have seen little improvement over the last two decades [1].
“Burnham’s economic plan is framed as a 10-year plan”
The 'Manchesterism' proposal represents a push for deeper devolution in the UK, suggesting that the current centralized governance model is insufficient for economic recovery. By advocating for a decade-long commitment to regional empowerment, Burnham is challenging the traditional Westminster-centric approach to economic policy in favor of a distributed model of growth.
