Prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham will today set out a "10-year mission to raise living standards", pledging to deliver "good growth in every postcode" while promising the "biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times".
In his first major speech since emerging as the frontrunner to replace Sir Keir Starmer, Burnham will also commit to creating a new "No 10 North" in Manchester to drive devolution and economic renewal, according to the FT.
Speaking at the People's History Museum in Manchester, Burnham is expected to say he wants to "give Britain the circuit breaker it needs" after a decade of political instability.
His plans include investment in housing, infrastructure, re-industrialisation and education reform, including creating "parity between academic and technical" education and reducing the number of young people who are "NEETs" – not in education, employment or training.
The proposals have drawn comparisons with both Sir Keir Starmer's devolution agenda and Boris Johnson's levelling up programme, while some Labour MPs have expressed concern that Burnham's focus on northern England could alienate voters elsewhere.