A YouGov poll found that 64 per cent of Labour members believe the Government taxes too little and spends too little on public services, while 9 per cent think it taxes and spends too much. The findings came before Andy Burnham’s conference speech, where he was expected to outline a proposed NHS-style social care system estimated to cost £18 billion a year, amid concern about how such spending might be funded.

When asked where spending could be cut, 32 per cent of Labour members named pensions, 25 per cent foreign aid and 23 per cent welfare benefits; 25 per cent said they would cut none of the listed areas. Pension cuts were more often favoured by members under 40 than older members. The wider public had different priorities: 43 per cent said the Government taxes and spends too much, and respondents were most likely to favour cuts to foreign aid and welfare.