Andy Burnham's Devolution Agenda: How to Make It Work 2026

The structural paradox at the heart of Andy Burnham's devolution agenda—that central power must be confidently asserted to give real power away—finds a potential operational resolution in the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (Nista). This body, inherited from Keir Starmer's government and placed jointly under the Treasury and Cabinet Office since April 2025, merges the old National Infrastructure Commission with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. With around 250 civil servants, Nista reports simultaneously to both departments, creating a crucial institutional mechanism to balance central control and local empowerment.

The Role of Nista in Devolution

Under Starmer, the Cabinet Office side of Nista's dual accountability was relatively weak. Now, under Louise Haigh's new Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet—explicitly endorsed by the Institute for Government for implementing long-called-for structural reforms—that balance may shift. Nista becomes the operational expression of the relationship between Haigh and John Healey, the new chancellor. Whether it works will depend significantly on Healey's approach to Treasury orthodoxy.

Your editorial previously framed Healey as "not a big beast of the species likely to build a power base to rival Mr Burnham." That may be accurate, but it understates a more interesting question: his formation. Before entering parliament, Healey spent years in disability rights and trade union work—at Mind and the Trades Union Congress, where he helped design the national minimum wage. This pre-parliamentary biography suggests a chancellor whose instincts may align more naturally with the "preventive state" agenda than his Brown-era Treasury service implies.

Historical Precedent and Challenges

His predecessor Denis Healey's capitulation to Treasury orthodoxy in 1976 shaped British politics for 50 years. The stakes of getting this relationship right are enormous. To make Andy Burnham's devolution agenda work, several critical factors must align:

Key Takeaways for Success

• Strong central coordination via Nista to ensure infrastructure and service transformation aligns with devolved priorities.
• A chancellor (John Healey) willing to challenge Treasury orthodoxy and invest in preventive state measures.
• Clear accountability between the Cabinet Office and Treasury to avoid power vacuums.
• Local flexibility within a national framework, allowing metro mayors like Burnham to tailor policies.

Comparison: Central vs. Devolved Approaches

What This Means for Greater Manchester

For Andy Burnham, the success of his devolution agenda hinges on Nista becoming a genuine bridge between the Treasury and local government. If Healey embraces the preventive state—focusing on early intervention in health, housing, and skills—then Burnham can deliver on promises like integrated transport and affordable housing. Without that shift, the old Treasury orthodoxy will reassert itself, stifling local innovation.

FAQ

Andy Burnham's devolution agenda is at a critical juncture. The interplay between Louise Haigh's structural reforms, Healey's political formation, and Nista's operational capacity will determine whether central power can truly be given away. For now, the tools exist—but only with determined leadership can they succeed.