Brown prepares to set out agenda

Brown prepares to set out agenda

Gordon Brown's priorities for his government will be set out later in his first Queen's Speech as prime minister.
Bills on counter-terrorism, education, immigration and housing are due to be in the legislative programme.

In July Mr Brown broke with tradition by outlining 23 bills before the Queen formally unveils them at the State Opening of Parliament.

Mr Brown will be seeking to regain the political initiative after his decision not to call an autumn election.

The Queen's Speech sees the monarch open the new Parliamentary year by setting out the government's plans, but many have already been announced by the prime minister.

Mr Brown is expected to repeat pledges to build 3m homes by 2020 in an effort to tackle the shortage of affordable housing and allow more people to get on the housing ladder.

'Historic' opportunity

A Housing and Regeneration Bill, which applies to England and Wales, will create a new homes agency to help create more social and private housing.

Among other measures already announced are plans - in the Education and Skills Bill - to make it compulsory for all 16 to 18 year olds in England and Wales to be in education or training from 2015.

The government says this is a "historic" opportunity to transform education.

LIKELY BILLS AND MEASURES
Counter terrorism - opens possibility of extending pre-charge detention beyond 28 days
Education and skills - raises age of youngsters in education or training to 18
Immigration - English language requirement for skilled migrant workers from outside EU
Energy and other measures - paves the way for new generation of nuclear power plants
Climate change - proposes target of cutting CO2 by 60% by 2050
Constitutional reform - give MPs formal say over going to war


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The government is also likely to revisit the issue of extending beyond the current 28 days the time terrorism suspects can be held for before being charged or released.

Allowing post-charge questioning and phone-tap evidence in court is also likely to be debated as part of any change, but Downing Street has not confirmed any detailed proposals will be included in the Counter Terrorism Bill.

A Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill will introduce restrictions on people convicted of violent offences once they have served their sentences.

It will also introduce a new immigration status for those convicted of terrorism or other serious offences.

Election decision

Other bills announced include a Climate Change Bill, which proposes statutory targets to reduce UK carbon dioxide emissions by at least 60% by 2050, and a Health and Social Care Bill which introduces a single regulator for the NHS and children in care.

The UK's largest trade union Unite wants Mr Brown to use the Queen's Speech to prioritise protection for workers through better regulation of employment agencies and equal rights for temps.

Tony Woodley, the union's joint general secretary, said: "At a time of unprecedented employment levels in the UK... job security, housing and decent pay are still the bread and butter issues that our members need to see action on."

Mr Brown quashed election speculation in early October, saying he wanted a chance to show his vision for Britain - but was accused of "bottling" out of the decision by his opponents.

While Labour had been enjoying a "Brown bounce" in the opinion polls after he became prime minister in June, in recent weeks some polls have suggested a boost in support for the Conservative party.

And last week, the government admitted it had underestimated by as much as 700,000 the number of migrant workers who had taken jobs in the UK since 1997.

On Sunday the Labour MP and former minister Frank Field said Labour was "despondent" and it was important that the Queen's Speech got it "out of this rut".

Mr Balls, one of the prime minister's closest allies, has said the government had "made some mistakes" since the conference in September, but remained united and was setting the policy agenda.