Andy Burnham just landed a game-changing £20 million for Greater Manchester’s brightest minds. The funding announcement has sent shockwaves through Britain’s innovation sector. Greater Manchester already boasts the UK’s fastest-growing urban economy outside London. Now, the city-region is poised to cement its position as Britain’s innovation powerhouse.
Burnham Delivers Major Funding Victory
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, secured an additional £20 million investment for the city-region’s innovation ecosystem on 18 October 2025. This funding arrives through the government’s Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF), taking Greater Manchester’s total innovation allocation to at least £30 million.
The cash injection will support breakthrough innovations across advanced materials, life sciences, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Andy Burnham celebrated the announcement at Britain’s International Investment Summit, describing it as a “welcome boost” that will unlock the potential of Greater Manchester’s growth-driving sectors.
Science Minister Lord Vallance confirmed the funding will back collaboration between businesses, universities, and government. Greater Manchester now joins an elite group of 10 UK regions earmarked for major innovation investment.
Where will the money go? Local innovation partnerships between civic leaders, universities, and businesses will deploy the funds. Greater Manchester boasts world-leading research institutions, outstanding universities, and sector strengths that punched above their weight during the Innovation Accelerator pilot programme.
Why This Matters for Britain’s Future
Burnham gets extra £20m for Greater Manchester’s ‘brightest minds’ represents more than a funding announcement. It validates the devolution model that has transformed the city-region since 2017.
Greater Manchester’s economy grew at 2% annually over the past decade, outpacing the UK average. The city-region contributed £110 billion to national GDP in 2023, exceeding Wales’ entire economic output. Manchester’s economy is projected to grow at 2.1% annually through 2028, the fastest rate among major UK cities outside London.
The innovation funding builds on Greater Manchester’s track record. The region’s Innovation Accelerator programme invested £100 million in 26 transformative research projects between 2023-25. These projects attracted £2.7 million in co-investment, created high-value jobs, and engaged over 1,200 patients in medical research.
Did you know? Greater Manchester has more business births per capita than any UK region outside London. The city-region now hosts world-class innovation clusters in health technology, digital innovation, and sustainable manufacturing.
Westminster to Manchester Powerhouse
Andrew Murray Burnham was born on 7 January 1970 in Aintree, Liverpool. The son of a BT engineer father and GP receptionist mother, Burnham grew up in Culcheth, Cheshire. He attended St Aelred’s Roman Catholic High School before studying English at Cambridge University.
Andy Burnham served as MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017, holding multiple Cabinet positions. Under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, he rose to Chief Secretary to the Treasury (2007-2008), Culture Secretary (2008-2009), and Health Secretary (2009-2010).
After Labour’s 2010 election defeat, Burnham contested the party leadership, finishing fourth. He launched another unsuccessful leadership bid in 2015, placing second behind Jeremy Corbyn. Rather than remain in Westminster, Burnham pivoted to regional leadership, winning the Greater Manchester mayoralty in May 2017 with 63% of the vote.
Burnham was re-elected in 2021 with 67% support and secured a third term in 2024 with 63.4% of votes. His leadership has delivered the Bee Network transport revolution, brought buses under local control, and positioned Greater Manchester as Britain’s fastest-growing regional economy.
The Values Driving Burnham’s Politics
Burnham describes himself as “Catholic by upbringing” though “not particularly religious”. He revealed in 2015 that Catholic social teaching underpins his political philosophy.
“Catholic social teaching underpins my politics, we did have to read the catechism at school but it is powerful and strong and right,” Burnham stated. He identifies as a socialist belonging to Labour’s soft left, though he once aligned with the Blairite wing.
Burnham married Marie-France van Heel, a Dutch marketing executive he met at Cambridge, in 2000. The couple has three children: son Jimmy and daughters Rosie and Annie. They live in Greater Manchester, where their children attend Catholic school.
Burnham’s Transformational Leadership Model
Political analysts credit Andy with pioneering a bottom-up devolution model that delivers tangible results. Professor experts note his “culture of encounter” approach prioritizes community connection over top-down mandates.
Transport revolution: Burnham’s Bee Network transformed Greater Manchester’s public transport. The region brought buses under local control in September 2023, achieving 12% year-on-year journey increases. The £2.5 billion investment will deliver 1,000 electric buses and Britain’s first fully integrated zero-emission transport system by 2030.
Economic powerhouse: Greater Manchester’s GVA per capita surged 83% between 2011 and 2023, the greatest growth of any British city. The region added £2.9 billion to its economy since 2024, driven by technology sectors and professional services.
COVID-19 leadership: During the pandemic, Burnham locked horns with central government over funding for Tier 3 restrictions. His refusal to accept inadequate support earned him the nickname “King of the North” and elevated his national profile.
Political scientist Professor Michael Kenny noted: “The spectacle of this former New Labour Minister taking to the steps of Bridgewater Hall to berate the Prime Minister for ‘playing poker with peoples’ lives’ was striking”.
Investing in People, Not Just Projects
Andy Burnham launched the Greater Manchester Strategy 2025-2035 in July 2025, setting an ambitious vision for the region’s future. The plan prioritizes housing, transport, education, and community-focused public services.
“Our task for the next decade is to build a platform for success for all our residents. We’ve never believed in a ‘trickle-down’ model of growth here,” Burnham declared.
The strategy commits to building more social housing than is lost through Right to Buy by 2027. Greater Manchester will introduce half-price bus travel for 18-21 year-olds and pilot free 24-hour bus travel for older and disabled residents.
Burnham’s Mayor’s Charity has funded over 70,000 nights of emergency accommodation since 2019. The charity raised over £20,000 at a DJ battle event where Burnham faced Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram in December 2022.
What’s Next for Burnham?
Speculation swirls around Burnham’s political future following reports that Labour MPs urged him to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester in September 2025: “I have no intention of abandoning what we’re trying to establish here”.
Yet polling suggests public appetite for Burnham’s leadership. A June 2025 Survation poll showed him slightly favored over Angela Rayner as Labour’s next leader. YouGov research found voters prefer Burnham to Starmer as Prime Minister.
Constitutional hurdles remain. Labour’s leadership rules require candidates to be MPs, and Burnham left Parliament in 2017. He would need to win a by-election in a safe Labour seat before mounting any challenge.
What’s certain: Burnham’s innovation funding victory strengthens Greater Manchester’s position as Britain’s economic engine outside London. The £20 million investment will empower the region’s brightest minds to develop game-changing technologies that could transform lives across Britain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Andy Burnham?
Andy Burnham is Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017. He previously served as Health Secretary, Culture Secretary, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury under Gordon Brown. He has transformed Greater Manchester into the UK’s fastest-growing regional economy.
What is the £20 million funding for?
The £20 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund supports innovation clusters in advanced materials, life sciences, AI, and advanced manufacturing. It will help translate research into business growth and high-value jobs in Greater Manchester.
What is the Innovation Accelerator programme?
The Innovation Accelerator invested £100 million in 26 transformative R&D projects across Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and Glasgow between 2023-25. It attracted £2.7 million co-investment and created multiple high-value jobs.
What is the Bee Network?
The Bee Network is Greater Manchester’s integrated public transport system. Launched in September 2023, it brought buses under local control, achieving 12% journey increases and 15% average fare reductions.
How fast is Greater Manchester’s economy growing?
Greater Manchester’s economy grew at 2.1% annually, the fastest rate among UK cities outside London. The region contributed £110 billion to GDP in 2023, exceeding Wales’ entire economic output.
What is Andy Burnham’s background?
Born in Aintree in 1970, Burnham attended Catholic school in Newton-le-Willows and studied English at Cambridge. He served as Leigh MP from 2001-2017 before becoming Greater Manchester Mayor.
Why is Burnham called ‘King of the North’?
During COVID-19, Burnham challenged government over inadequate funding for Tier 3 restrictions. His public advocacy for Northern communities earned him the nickname, initially ironic but later affectionate.
What is the Greater Manchester Strategy 2025-2035?
Burnham’s 10-year vision prioritizes housing, transport, education, and community services. It aims to deliver £10 billion investment, build thousands of homes, and create the UK’s first fully integrated zero-emission transport system.
Will Andy Burnham challenge Keir Starmer?
Speculation exists, but Burnham stated he has “no intention of abandoning” Greater Manchester. He would need to win a parliamentary by-election before mounting any leadership challenge.
What are Greater Manchester’s innovation strengths?
The region excels in advanced materials, health innovation, AI, and digital technology. It hosts world-leading universities, research institutions, and companies with outstanding productivity growth in recent years.
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