Burnham defended the cost of setting up No 10 North, telling “London-based” critics that the new centre will create “that sense of a more balanced country, and that big things can be done from here”.

He described his first day at the new northern base as “the best day of my life”. Speaking to ministers at the national economic council meeting, he joked that he might get into trouble with his wife for making that comment.

Senior ministers and aides close to Andy Burnham are expecting to regularly work from No 10 North, which the prime minister has said will be the "dominant driver of the UK's economy".