Andy Burnham is expected to use his first Labour conference speech as leader to set out plans for greater public control of key industries and an NHS-style social care system, estimated to cost £18 billion a year. The article says he may also signal a change to the state pension triple lock, which raises payments by the highest of inflation, earnings growth or 2.5 per cent, as the Government faces pressure to fund its plans.

The possible change has drawn criticism from Unite, which warned that reducing the pension guarantee could be electorally damaging; Labour says its commitment to retain the triple lock runs until the next election. With the Budget due on 28 October, slowing growth, inflation and higher debt costs are squeezing the Chancellor’s room for spending, while cuts are likely to face resistance from Labour MPs. Burnham is also expected to announce a publicly owned energy grid and discuss further government intervention in sectors including water, energy and housing.