Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to use Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool to propose greater public control of water, energy and housing, while warning that difficult funding decisions lie ahead.
The Daily Mail reported that Burnham would say the state should take more control of essential services and cite an £18 billion social-care reform plan. It said there was speculation the plan could involve ending the state-pension triple lock. In a BBC interview, Burnham said he would seek a mandate at the next general election for tough decisions needed to fund a national care service.
The triple lock raises state pensions each April by at least 2.5% or by the higher of inflation or earnings, according to the BBC. Burnham said his keynote address would focus on restoring hope after what he described as a decade of drift and division since Brexit, PBS reported.