How can 'King of the North' Burnham help the South?

Image caption, Andy Burnham became prime minister on Monday By Tiffany Rowlands South of England senior political reporter Andy Burnham has become the 59th prime minister of the United Kingdom and has pledged the biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times. His idea is to devolve power away from London and out across the country, including creating a No 10 North. So just what will this mean for people living in the south of England? Image caption, Toby Roberts, who runs D&G Hardware in Alresford, is hoping people will get help with their business rates 'Business rates is a big one' Toby Roberts runs a chain of hardware stores across Hampshire. He is hoping Burnham will help local businesses. "The Labour government over the last two years have not been particularly helpful for high street businesses like mine, in fact, quite the opposite, they've been brutal. "We will wait and see what he implements. Business rates is a big one and he has made noises he is going to help." Image caption, Pete Street, owner of the Fox pub in Gosport, says he is not impressed 'Robs the British people of a voice' Pete Street runs the oldest pub in Gosport, The Fox. He believes there should have been a general election. "I'm not too impressed with Andy Burnham to be honest with you and the fact that he feels he can move from one political platform to another as easy as he is doing. "I think it robs the British people of a voice". Image caption, Sarah Bridges, owner of The Sandwich Shop in Alresford, wants to see change Everything 'stacked against small businesses' Sarah Bridges, who runs The Sandwich Shop in Alresford, said she would like Burnham to bring in change. "I don't really know about him, but what I do know is that everything at the moment is stacked against small businesses, everything is becoming increasingly difficult and it really needs to change." Image caption, Tom Hayes, Labour MP for Bournemouth East, says he is hopeful about the future with Andy Burnham as prime minister 'Hopeful and optimistic' Labour's Bournemouth East MP, Tom Hayes, has said he has already spoken to Burnham. "I've made clear my priorities, it's about growing the economy, tackling our cost-of-living crisis and giving Bournemouth and Britain, more broadly, a shot in the arm. "A sense that we can do better and be better, and the hopeful and optimistic note that he sounded on the steps of Downing Street today." Hayes added: "The fact he's talking about about coastal towns gives me a lot of confidence about the future." Image source, House of Commons/Laurie Noble Image caption, Joe Robertson, Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, appeared on BBC Radio Solent to answer the public's questions and says the south of England is very different to Manchester Older population challenges 'much more significant' than in Manchester Joe Robertson, the Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, has said he is concerned that, here in the south of England, we have a very different demographic to Manchester. "We have a much older population so that these things like challenges around social care and health are much more significant. "Manchester's success in recent years has been built on a lot of private investment, a lot of foreign investment. "How will Andy Burnham translate that into Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and the wider south area, really remains to be seen."