A “complete rethink” of how young people are supported to succeed “has to start with the education system”, prime ministerial hopeful Andy Burnham has said. During a speech launching his campaign to replace Keir Starmer, the former mayor of Greater Manchester said “the days of a school system configured entirely around the university route will be brought to an end”. Burnham, a former shadow education secretary, did not reveal further details of his planned educational reforms, but did announce his intention to devolve greater powers to local areas. He also set out plans to open “Number 10 North”, an office of the prime minister based in Manchester, which would drive his devolution agenda. His comments come after a damning report by former minister Alan Milburn found education was failing to prepare children for adulthood. The diagnostic report warned that the institutions built to support young people into adulthood “are no longer fit for that purpose”, with schools too focused on exams and getting pupils into university. ‘Complete rethink’ Burnham told gathered mayors, MPs, supporters and journalists in Manchester he took the report’s findings “very seriously”. “We need a complete rethink of how we support the next generation to succeed, and it has to start with the education system. The days of a school system configured entirely around the university route will be brought to an end. “University is great for those who want it, but when are we going to focus on the life chances of those kids who want something different? When? The country hasn’t done that for a long, long time. “People have argued over many years for an education system based on parity between academic and technical, and that is what we will build, giving every young person growing up here a clear path into a re-industrialised Britain.” If Burnham’s campaign goes unchallenged he will become prime minister in mid-July. If there is a contest, the victor will take over before Parliament returns in September.