The Queen's Speech - live

Tuesday, 23 November 2004 12:00 AM

The Queen has arrived in the House of Lords and has just begun to outline her government's legislative plans for the coming session.

Politics.co.uk will follow the speech live and bring you the key highlights.

Beginning her address, the Queen announced her government's priorities for the first session would be continued economic stability and growth combined with reform of the public services to ensure they "provide more security and opportunity for all".

Education came next, with a promise to introduce a Bill streamlining the regime of school inspections and a second Bill to extend financial support to 16 and 19-year-olds in both training and education.

As expected, crime and security was also prominent in the speech, with confirmation that there will be a Bill to introduce identity cards.

Continuing the crime agenda, the Government will introduce a Bill to establish the new serious organised crime agency. This Bill will also strengthen police powers particularly to tackle harassment by animal rights extremists.

Legislation is also promised to tackle drug and alcohol abuse and the crime and disorder it inspires. Anti-social behaviour legislation will also be tightened. The Queen also announced a new drive to tackle reoffending through better management of offenders - particularly juveniles.

The criminal legal aid system will also see changes to make "better use of legal aid resources" and there will be a drive to reform the current system of tribunals and ensure support for those with "legitimate" civil claims.

Labour backbenchers are sure to be pleased that there was also a commitment to introduce a draft corporate manslaughter Bill.

Moving on, the Queen said that the Government would act to provide protection from discrimination and exploitation and would introduce new legislation to tackle discrimination in goods and services based on religion as well as race, sex and disability. The Government will also push forward with plans to create a single commission for equality and human rights.

On the public services, there was a pledge to continue NHS reform to provide more information and choice for patients, with an emphasis that health care will continue to be "free at the point of delivery".

There will also be draft legislation aimed at safeguarding the welfare of children in the case of parental separation and in inter-country adoption proceedings.

Other Bills announced include an update of consumer credit law and a Bill to improve the standards of animal welfare.

On constitutional reform, there will be legislation to allow a national referendum on the EU Constitution. In addition, there will be new regulations to govern public inquires.

The Welsh Assembly are also to get new powers in relation to transport.

HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue are to be merged as part of a programme to tackle the cost of government.

Tags: