Andy Burnham spends first working day at new No 10 North in Manchester – UK politics live

PM chairing the inaugural meeting of the national economic council that will aim to shift economic decision-making away ‌from London Andy Burnham has arrived by police convoy at No 10 North at Heron House in Manchester: Andy Burnham was probably feeling left out of the “Celtic alliance”, after apparently telling John Swinney that Scottish independence was “off limits”. use Furlong/ View image in fullscreen Andy Burnham arrives by police convoy at No 10 North at Heron House Furlong/ From 17m ago 11.58 CEST Prime minister arrives at No 10 North Andy Burnham has arrived by police convoy at No 10 North at Heron House in Manchester: Byrne/PA Share Updated at 11.59 CEST Key events 17m ago Prime minister arrives at No 10 North 36m ago Welsh first minister says he has 'Celtic alliance' with Scottish counterpart 49m ago Burnham to 'move quickly' to scale up North Sea drilling - report 1h ago Prisoner early release review to be conducted over 'coming days and weeks, says minister 2h ago Government on 'borrowed time if we don't get a move on, says Rayner 2h ago Opinion: It’s not just a No 10 in the north, it’s an engine for growth throughout the whole UK 2h ago Burnham to hold first meeting in new No 10 North in Manchester 2m ago 12.13 CEST It has been pointed out that the prime minister is heading the wrong way on a one-way street: View image in fullscreen The Range Rover heads down a one-way street. Furlong/ Share 17m ago 11.58 CEST Prime minister arrives at No 10 North Andy Burnham has arrived by police convoy at No 10 North at Heron House in Manchester: View image in fullscreen Byrne/PA Share Updated at 11.59 CEST 20m ago 11.55 CEST Andy Burnham was probably feeling left out of the “Celtic alliance”, after apparently telling John Swinney that Scottish independence was “off limits”.

That’s according to the Scotland secretary Douglas Alexander, who spoke about a meeting he attended yesterday between the prime minister, Scottish first minister and others ahead of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The issue of Scottish independence came up during the meeting. View image in fullscreen Secretary of state for Scotland Douglas Alexander leaves 10 Downing Street following the first cabinet meeting with prime minister Andy Burnham on Tuesday.

J Ratcliffe/ “I was alongside Andy as we met John Swinney yesterday in Glasgow and so I can see very clearly how the that conversation progressed and, indeed, what it does mean for Scotland, Alexander told BBC Radio Scotland this morning. “Up front, the prime minister made clear that independence was off limits. He added: “I genuinely believe that we agreed to disagree.

“John Swinney, perfectly honourably, continues to advance the case that he would like to see independence for Scotland – that’s been the cause to which he’s devoted his political life. “But Andy, in a very reasonable way, was pretty open in saying, ‘listen, respectfully, we’ll agree to disagree on a referendum, and independence is off limits. The Welsh first minister said he has a “Celtic alliance” with his counterpart in Scotland, as he visited Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, PA reports.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said Plaid Cymru worked closely with John Swinney’s SNP, and that he was “optimistic” after meeting prime minister Andy Burnham yesterday. Iorwerth’s party won the May election in Wales and, with an SNP win in Scotland and Sinn Féin holding the first minister role in Northern Ireland, all of the UK’s devolved nations have independence-supporting parties in power. View image in fullscreen Rhun ap Iorwerth and John Swinney pictured during a meeting at Bute House in Edinburgh on 30 October 2025. J Mitchell/PA Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme this morning, where he was asked about the relationship between nationalist parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Iorwerth said: “I think we have a Celtic alliance.

I work closely with John Swinney … “I have a good relationship. My party and the SNP were often referred to as sister parties. “We have worked together at Westminster for many years prior to devolution, and we work closely now. The Times has reported this morning that Andy Burnham is expected to “move quickly” to scale up North Sea oil and gas production as part of his policy blitz to tackle the cost of living.””””””””