Manchester is having a moment. The city’s economy is growing at 3.1 percent annually, more than double the national rate, and property prices are climbing fast. Terraced houses start at £190,000 in northern hotspots that once seemed destined to remain cheap alternatives to the South.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s push to decentralise government has created genuine buzz. Last week, he announced that No10 North will take over responsibility for economic growth from the Treasury, a massive power shift out of Whitehall. Political gimmickry or real ce? That remains to be seen.
Either way, buyer demand has reportedly risen across northern England since Burnham’s coronation. The region is shedding its old reputation and becoming desirable in its own right.
But Burnham’s already facing his first test. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed that only 60 percent of the initial £10 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme will go to social rent, the same level as the previous Keir Starmer administration. Critics point out this contradicts Burnham’s Makerfield campaign pledge that all new council homes would be for social rent.
The Greens called it a massive backtrack. Welcome to Downing Street, Prime Minister.
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