Few Surprises As Queen's Speech Unveils PM's Plans

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has laid out his plans for the government in his first Queen's speech.

The speech, which was delivered by the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament, included bills on education, immigration, housing, constitutional reform and counter-terrorism, health and the environment.

Mr Brown, in a break with tradition, had already outlined some bills in a draft legislative programme published in July, so there were few surprises in today's speech.

In her speech, the Queen said: "My government will take forward policies to respond to the rising aspirations of the people of the United Kingdom; to ensure security for all; and to entrust more power to parliament and the people.

"My government's programme will meet people's aspirations for better education, housing, healthcare and children's services, and for a cleaner environment."

One of the key education proposals is to increase the age of compulsory learning, either academic or vocational, from 16 to 18.

Legislation will also be introduced to create a new Homes and Communities agency with responsibility for affordable housing and regeneration. Planning legislation will also be reformed with the aim of making decision-making "quicker and more transparent".

The Queen also revealed government plans to establish a health and social care regulator to ensure "clean and safe services".

A climate change bill will also seek to reduce carbon emissions in the UK to at least 60% by 2050.

A new counter-terrorism bill also proposes allowing post-charge questioning of suspects and making convicted terrorists provide police with details of their whereabouts after release, as well as banning them from foreign travel.

However details on possible changes to the time limit that terrorist suspects can be held without charge and the possibility of allowing phone-tap evidence in court were not revealed in the plans.

Plans for a shake-up of the constitution were also announced.

Speaking in the Commons after the speech, Conservative leader David Cameron said that he welcomed many of the bills, because his party had proposed them in the first place. He also attacked Mr Brown, claiming that he had "nothing new" to offer. The Tory leader also pledged to press the government to go further with counter-terrorism legislation and allow phone-tap evidence to be used in court, as well as the creation of a border police force.

Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable also accused the Prime Minister of having no new ideas. He said: "The anticipation was acute - but the anti-climax is deafening. The legislative programme is firmly rooted in the Blair era. There is very little new. No ideas, no vision. Is this what we have been waiting for?

"Perhaps, lurking in this Queen's Speech is a genuinely Big Idea: a Conservative-Labour Grand Coalition of policies and ideas.

"The one-time editor of the Red Paper has penned a Queen's Speech in the bluest ink. Across wide swathes of policy his approach is indistinguishable from the Tories. On the important issues of the day it is the Liberal Democrats who offer a distinctive voice."

(KMcA)