Summary

  • Andy Burnham says if he becomes prime minister, he'll "take power out of the centre" and expand his office to Manchester - other key takeaways

  • In his first major speech since launching his bid to replace Keir Starmer, Burnham says "No 10 North" would be the "nerve centre of a re-wired Britain"

  • The former Greater Manchester mayor also commits to "offering new opportunities to extend devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by taking power deeper down" - but does not give more detail

  • No 10 North will "mean very little to the people of Wales", says the Welsh first minister, while the SNP's Westminster leader says there's "nothing of substance" in Burnham's proposals

  • Burnham's idea of "Manchesterism" was at the centre of this speech - but many of the key details are still to come, writes the BBC's Chris Mason

  • If no other Labour MP makes a leadership bid, Burnham is expected to become prime minister on 20 July

Live Reporting

Edited by Charlotte Hadfield

  1. What we're expecting to hear from Burnham

    In his speech later today, Burnham is expected to set out a commitment for a "10-year mission" to raise living standards and to create a "No 10 North".

    Speaking in Manchester, his vision is expected to involve mayors being given greater control over social housing, welfare and education - with power over budgets currently spent by Whitehall.

    Burnham is also expected to set out an ambition to drive growth "across every nation and region of the UK" and vow to put devolution at the heart of his programme for government.

    He will say decision-making needs to be "pushed to regions and local communities", and will promise "good growth in every postcode".

    There will also be proposals on youth employment in order to "lift Britain back up to where it should be".

    And he is expected to say the government must "give Britain the circuit-breaker it needs", as well as address his view of why there is low public trust in politics.

  2. Badenoch to 'set out her tests' for Burnham

    Kemi Badenoch, a woman, wearing yellow, with her right hand pointing towards the left.PA Media

    Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is urging Burnham to set out his plans in the House of Commons before the summer recess in July.

    Parliament is due to rise on 16 July and Burnham is expected to become PM on 20 July if no Labour MP challenges him for the leadership.

    "A speech full of warm words to a friendly crowd is not a substitute for speaking at the despatch box where MPs can question the substance of what he has said," she says.

    She adds Burnham "should be brave enough to answer MPs representing the length and breadth of the country" on his plans.

    Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake says Burnham's "big idea is to shuffle power between politicians.

    "Just more devolution, more committees, more process. It's the politics of distraction from a Labour Party that is deliberately avoiding the questions that actually matter," he says.

    The Conservatives say Badenoch will use her speech this morning to "set out her tests to Andy Burnham".

    She's due to start speaking shortly - you can watch live at the top of this page.

  3. Analysis

    Burnham starts to sketch out vision but faces policy questions

    Chris Mason
    Political editor

    Burnham will give what his team has called "his first major leadership speech" later and will promise to "lift Britain back up to where it should be".

    In an address at the People's History Museum in Manchester, the new MP for nearby Makerfield will say as prime minister he would "give Britain the circuit breaker it needs".

    His inner circle describe it as "the foundational text" of his programme for government.

    As such, it is expected to be broad based.

    It is not thought he will take any questions from reporters afterwards, which will likely raise eyebrows from some given his lack of a mandate from the electorate.

    His team insist this won't be part of "a pattern" of avoiding scrutiny - but that will come later in the campaign.

    Three weeks from today, he could become prime minister, assuming, as is widely expected, he doesn't face a contest for the Labour leadership.

    In the next three weeks, he has to charm Labour MPs, sell his vision to the country, decide who will serve in his government and wrestle with the huge challenges that currently face Keir Starmer.

    How will he pay for our defence? What about social care? How will he manage his relationship with US President Donald Trump?

    These are three of the dozens of huge questions that confront a man who wasn't even an MP a fortnight ago.

  4. Burnham to make first major policy speech since launching leadership bid

    A file photo of Andy Burnham. He is walking in front of a car with people behind himTolga Akmen/EPA/Shutterstock

    This morning Andy Burnham will make his first major policy speech since launching his bid to be leader of the Labour party.

    His inner circle is billing it as the "the foundational text" of his programme for government.

    Burnham is almost certain set to become the UK's next prime minister, and if no other Labour MP challenges him, he is expected to take the reins in No 10 on 20 July.

    In a speech in Manchester at 11:30 BST, he is expected to announce plans for a "No 10 North" and set out a vision to give more plans to local officials, with a focus on raising living standards.

    But before then, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch will give a speech in central London - slated for 10:00 BST - where she is expected to speak about the economy.

    We'll have updates and analysis throughout.