90 Labour MPs demand dedicated Manchester base for industrial revival

More than 90 Labour backbench MPs have issued a warning that the government's plan to rebuild British industry will fail unless it is directed from Manchester. The group, chaired by Andy MacNae MP for Rossendale and Darwen, says the Prime Minister must establish a clear command center for this effort. They argue that the current approach is too fragmented to succeed.

The MPs cite a new briefing paper that details the state's loss of industrial knowledge. The document claims the government has become slow to make decisions and less knowledgeable about business operations. It states that decades of deregulation have left the state without the detailed understanding required for such a major economic shift. The paper describes these administrative gaps as a barrier to growth.

The group wants Burnham to pass a Reindustrialisation Act. This legislation would set specific targets for job creation through manufacturing. It would also hold ministers accountable for meeting those targets. The MPs argue that without formal planning, the government cannot achieve its goals. They want the responsibility for this effort to rest with First Secretary Louise Haigh.

The proposal centers on No 10 North, the Prime Minister's new outpost in Manchester. Burnham set up this location in July. It already handles some growth policy. The MPs want it to become the hub for all reindustrialisation work. They also propose turning the National Wealth Fund into a Reindustrialisation Development Corporation. This new body would focus on providing capital to rebuild UK industry.

Andy MacNae said the Prime Minister and the Chancellor are committed to the cause. However, he described a persistent inertia within the civil service. He noted that economic orthodoxy still favors cities that are already doing well. He wants jobs delivered to places that need them most. He pointed to the recent nationalization of British Steel as a key example of this strategy.

Steve Yemm, the MP for Mansfield, said many in Whitehall still view industrial policy as dangerous nostalgia. He noted that other countries are actively reindustrializing. He called for the Prime Minister to challenge these outdated assumptions. Lorraine Beavers, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, added that Whitehall rarely fixes problems unless explicitly told to do so.

Chancellor John Healey is delivering his first budget on Wednesday. At Labour's conference last month, he promised a new age of industrialization. The party's strategy identifies eight sectors for growth, including advanced manufacturing and clean energy. The backbench group believes this budget is the moment to formalize the Manchester-based approach.