Can Andy Burnham tame the power of the Treasury to boost growth?

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is embarking on a mission to rein in the formidable power of the Treasury, a move many of his predecessors have attempted with limited success. His ambition is to reduce the department's tight control over public spending and inject a more forward-thinking approach into economic policy. The Treasury has long been seen as a central gatekeeper of government finances, often wielding significant influence over departmental budgets and policy direction. Historically, challenging this entrenched power has proven difficult for leaders. The article references past prime ministerial struggles, including Boris Johnson's clashes that reportedly led to a minister's resignation, Margaret Thatcher's preference for her economic advisor over her Chancellor Nigel Lawson, and the famously intense rivalry between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, which shaped Whitehall dynamics for years. Burnham's attempt signals a potential shift in how economic strategy is formulated and executed, aiming for a more decentralized and long-term focused approach.