Prime Minister Andy Burnham will announce plans for significantly greater state control of water, energy, and housing, describing the move as necessary to end a system "run for vested interests". The speech at Labour's party conference is expected to be the most left-wing major policy announcement by a modern British prime minister, with reports suggesting Burnham will also signal an end to the pensions triple lock to help fund an £18 billion social care reform plan. The Government is exploring intervention methods including placing debt-laden Thames Water into special administration if bailout attempts fail and appointing elected mayors to lead regional oversight boards.

The plans build on already-underway railway renationalisation and include pledges for increased council house construction and powers allowing councils to seize properties left empty for six months. Full-scale nationalisation of major utilities is considered unlikely due to prohibitive costs. Burnham acknowledged that "people will not agree with every part" of his proposals but positioned them as necessary to provide "less drift and more direction" and sweep away "the flawed thinking of the last 40 years". The Conservative Party countered that the plans represent failed strategy, arguing Labour's policies have damaged businesses and the welfare bill requires reduction.