Former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine is taking part in a panel discussion on the Conservatives' thinking on local government and devolution. He has been advising David Cameron on the issue since 2007. Communities and Local Government Secretary Greg Clark introduces him with a joke, saying he is the only one of his advisers who has to walk past a portrait of himself when he enters his Whitehall department. Lord Heseltine says George Osborne's Northern Powerhouse agenda is a "historic shift" in the relationship between central and local government.

The home secretary would neither rule herself in or out of a future Conservative Party leadership contest when asked about her future. 

Theresa May told the BBC's Carole Walker: "The prime minister is going to be serving a full second term, and in the meantime, we have all got a job to do, getting on, delivering on our manifesto…" 

David Cameron told the BBC earlier this year that he would not seek a third term as prime minister.  

Alex Wild, from the Taxpayers' Alliance, has apologised for what he calls "crass" and "offensive" remarks he made at a fringe meeting at the Conservative conference. At the meeting yesterday, Mr Wild called for immediate cuts in pensioner benefits such as the winter fuel allowance, free bus passes, the Christmas bonus and other pensioner benefits. He said this might not be popular but many of those hit by a cut to the winter fuel allowance might "not be around" at the next election, and others would forget which party had done it. In a statement today, he says:

More business reaction to the chancellor's speech earlier. The CBI has welcomed the business rates announcement but said it must not be a precursor to an increase in business rates or a rise in business costs. The employers' body has called for the new national infrastructure commission to "hit the ground running" but has continued to question the impact of a national living wage. Its director general, John Cridland, said:

Image source, PA

Amber Rudd tells Conservative activists that the early withdrawal of subsidies for onshore wind turbines - which are unpopular in many rural areas - would have been "impossible under the coalition". She says the government will back the development of fracking, claiming shale gas in the US is "cheaper, without subsidy, than any alternative".

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd, addressing conference, says her department is "undertaking a root and branch review of our energy policy". She insists ministers will be "relentless in putting pressure on companies" to improve services, claiming that some customers experience "woeful" service from energy firms.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales welcomes George Osborne's announcement that local authorities in England will be able to set and keep hold of the business rates raised in their area. Chief executive Michael Izza says:

Brian Wheeler

This conference stall is causing some amusement among the Tory faithful.

The afternoon session at the Conservative conference starts shortly. Speeches are expected from Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd, Communities and Local Government Secretary Greg Clark and Environment Secretary Liz Truss.

The World at One
BBC Radio 4

Business Secretary Sajid Javid says the National Infrastructure Commission will be modelled on the Davies commission that has been considering the future expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and the issue of airport capacity in the south east. The point is to "take party politics" of the equation, he tells the BBC, saying that Lord Adonis is a "highly rated" and talented person to take the body forward. 

The World at One
BBC Radio 4

Former Cabinet minister Cheryl Gillan welcomes Mr Osborne's focus on big projects to promote economic development but warns against any attempt "to bypass or short circuit" environmental and planning safeguards in doing so. She urges the government to learn from the "terrible experience" of the HS2 rail link, which she says was an example of how not to run a project in terms of public engagement and consultation. The state cannot "run roughshod over individuals", she argues. 

Brian Wheeler

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt, who was jostled by anti-austerity protesters on his way into the conference centre yesterday, wonders if it would have happened if the Tories had still been in coalition with the Lib Dems.

"In some ways," he tells Times columnist Dannny Finkelstien at a fringe meeting, "The Lib Dems were a lightening rod for the anger of the left which doesn't now exist".

Brian Wheeler

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt says the Conservstive Party has to be "anchored to the centre ground of British politics."

Laura Kuenssberg
BBC political editor

The decision to give English councils full control of business rates is "very bold and radical", says the BBC's political editor. George Osborne is doing something that chancellors rarely do which is "give power away from Whitehall", she tells BBC Radio 4's World at One. The chancellor's speech was a "very audacious pitch" and focused on building a Conservative majority up to 2020 and beyond, she adds.

Read Laura's blog in full

The Daily Politics

Tory delegates are asked if they know the chancellor’s favourite book and music choices.

Adam Fleming read up on George Osborne’s Mail on Sunday interview, where he revealed his political heroes, ambitions and culture choices.

The Daily Politics

Most Conservative conferences include debates and arguments about Europe, and delegates were asked to vote in or out of the EU by Adam Fleming with the Daily Politics mood box.

The unscientific test with a plastic bin and balls gives them the chance to have their say on the issue which should be resolved with a referendum sometime in the next two years.