Rent controls are being considered by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham as a way of help with the cost of living squeeze.
The new leader also indicated that support for energy bills and capping the cost of bus fares could be introduced to help hard-pressed households.
Mr Burnham used his first speech as Prime Minister to promise to offer “breathing space” to people hit by rising prices, with some measures being set out as soon as Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters in the Downing Street garden, Mr Burnham was asked what his priorities were and whether he was looking at bus fares, energy bills or rent freezes as part of his package of help.
He said “we’re looking at all of those things” but stressed no final decisions had been made.
He said: “We’re looking at measures that could make a difference this year. So we are looking at all of those things, but we’ll make more announcements tomorrow.
“We’re just finalising the details, so it’s premature to say it will be any one of those particular things.
“We just want to do some things that people will feel and feel quite quickly.
“It won’t solve everything. It won’t take all of the pressure off, but it just shows a direction of travel and that we’re serious about helping them out.”
Mr Burnham kept the cap on bus fares at £2 in Greater Manchester after the cap elsewhere in England increased to £3 under the Labour government.
Sir Keir Starmer’s government was already working on a package of support for household energy bills to help address expected increases over the winter.
The former prime minister had resisted calls for rent controls, including from Mr Burnham when he was Greater Manchester mayor.
Mr Burnham also indicated he was looking at increasing the amount people can earn before becoming liable to pay income tax.
The £12,570 threshold has been frozen since 2021, resulting in more people being dragged into paying tax as earnings increase.
Mr Burnham acknowledged there would be “significant consequences” to changing the threshold as a result of the money lost to the Treasury.
“Obviously it’s difficult given the financial circumstances in which we find ourselves,” he said.
Asked if the reintroduction of a 50p top rate of income tax was one possible means of helping to fund the measure he said: “I think that would be just premature to say that.
“I’ve barely got my feet under the table.”
