Five key takeaways from Andy Burnham's devolution speech

The Makerfield MP, who gave up being Greater Manchester Mayor earlier this month, looks set to become the next Prime Minister.

In his speech he pledged to give the country a “new direction” through the biggest transfer of power out of London in modern times.

But what would his plans actually look like? Here are five key takeaways from Mr Burnham’s speech.

No10 in the North

Mr Burnham pledged to create a “No10 North” based in Manchester to act as “the nerve centre of a rewired Britain”.

This department would be charged with making power flow to all the UK’s nations and regions.

Drawing inspiration from Germany, he said No10 North would be “given a mission to strive for equivalent living conditions in all parts of Britain”.

The department would also have three “clear tasks” of increasing public ownership of essential utilities such as water, energy and housing; reindustrialisation; and regeneration.

More devolution to local areas in Scotland

Mr Burnham promised more devolution for local areas in Scotland if he becomes Prime Minister.

He said that people in Dundee “feel just as distant from Holyrood” as they do from Westminster.

He said: “It will be about offering new opportunities to extend evolution in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland by taking power deeper down, the people of Dundee and Bangor feel just as distant from Holyrood and the Senedd as they do from Westminster.”

It is unclear if he wants to override the Scottish Parliament to do so, or if the new powers for local areas would need to be created in agreement with Holyrood.

Aberdeen to get more powers

The likely PM-to-be also said he will introduce “powers for areas undergoing industrial transition” as part of his plans.

He mentioned Aberdeen - which is feeling the effects of the North Sea oil and gas decline - as one of the examples.

Again, it is unclear if this will be done by working with Holyrood or if the Scottish Parliament will be overruled.

Burnham wants 10 years in power

Mr Burnham seems poised to take over from Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister later in the summer.

Not content with just leading until the next election, or the election after that, he suggested that he plans to stay in office for a whole decade.

He said: “Ours is a 10-year mission to raise people’s living standards.

“I know people can’t wait forever for change. I heard on doorsteps in Makerfield how people need a bit extra now to help with rising costs.

“I will do my very best to deliver it, and whilst not taking risks with the public finances, will seek to give Britain some breathing space as soon as I can.

“People need to be able to look forward to a night out or a holiday with the kids. People need hope.”

No word on top team

There has been much speculation about who Mr Burnham would include in his cabinet over the weekend.

He addressed this - but said he would not be giving anything away.

Mr Burnham said: “While the political direction I set is not up for negotiation, I will build an inclusive team at the very highest level, so that all parts of the party and the country can see themselves reflected and represented in it.

“And may I say, I will not announce those decisions on appointments, certainly not today, and indeed not until the end of this process.

“So, until then, feel free to discount the wild speculation in circulation.”