Summary
Burnham, who led Greater Manchester as Mayor before becoming Labour leader, took office on day one with a speech heavy on aspiration but light on specifics. He pledged to end rough sleeping – a priority during his Manchester tenure – and promised a 10-Year Plan, though full details are to follow.
North-west business leaders responding to the new premiership emphasised the need for SME-friendly policies. Paul Corcoran, CEO of Agent, said businesses want "stability and support" to invest and recruit, while Gary Jenkins of Warrington PR flagged concerns about recent employer National Insurance rises making expansion "more difficult." Both stressed the importance of certainty over constant policy upheaval.
The business community is looking for backing on digital skills, AI adoption, and genuine partnership with enterprise. Sue Benson, CEO of Manchester's The Behaviours Agency and IPA Chair, hopes Burnham can translate his Manchester successes nationally – signalling regional optimism but also high expectations for tangible, growth-focused action.
Read the full story at Prolific North
This is a summary written for the Manchester Business Services register. The full article belongs to Prolific North — read it at source.
Common questions
- What is this article about?
- Andy Burnham, the first Northern Prime Minister in 50 years and former Greater Manchester Mayor, has promised more policy detail after his initial speech focused on homelessness and vague commitments. Regional business leaders say they want concrete policies to support small and medium-sized enterprises, with concerns about National Insurance rises and calls for long-term certainty.
- When was this published?
- This article was published on 20 July 2026.
- Who published this article?
- This article was published by Prolific North.