The National Economic Council is a quasi-intergovernmental relations body established in 2026 by the Burnham ministry.
History The National Economic Council was a cabinet committee in the UK Government created in 2008 by the Brown ministry, replacing the Economic Development Committee. It was not continued by the Cameron-Clegg coalition.
In its interaction as a cabinet committee, its purpose was to respond to the 2008 financial crisis, acting as the UK's "economic war council".
The first meeting in its iteration as an intergovernmental relations body took place at Number 10 North on 24 July 2026 brought together UK government ministers and strategic authority mayors of England. In August 2026, it was announced that the first ministers of Scotland and Wales and the first and deputy first ministers of Northern Ireland will attend future meetings of the council.
Members The members of the council are:
Name Authority Position within authority Andy Burnham (Chair)Government of the United Kingdom Prime Minister of the United KingdomMinister for the UnionMinister for the Civil Service Louise Haigh First Secretary of StateChancellor of the Duchy of LancasterMinister for the Cabinet Office John Healey Chancellor of the Exchequer John Swinney Scottish Government First Minister of Scotland Rhun ap Iorwerth Welsh Government First Minister of Wales Michelle O'NeillNorthern Ireland Executive First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland The Lord Khan of Tooting Greater London Authority Mayor of London Paul Bristow Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Claire Ward East Midlands Combined County Authority Mayor of the East MidlandsAndrea JenkynsGreater Lincolnshire Combined AuthorityMayor of Greater Lincolnshire Bev Craig Greater Manchester Combined Authority Mayor of Greater ManchesterLuke CampbellHull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire Steve Rotheram Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Kim McGuinness North East Combined Authority Mayor of the North East Oliver Coppard South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Mayor of South Yorkshire The Lord Houchen of High Leven Tees Valley Combined Authority Mayor of the Tees Valley Richard Parker West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor of the West Midlands Helen Godwin West of England Combined Authority Mayor of the West of England Tracy Brabin West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor of West Yorkshire David Skaith York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor of York and North Yorkshire
Meetings
Meetings of the National Economic Council Date Location Chair24 July 2026 Number 10 North,ManchesterAndy Burnham
References
See also Intergovernmental relations in the United Kingdom
External links
Press release on number 10 website National Economic Council webpage on the Cabinet Office website