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Queen sets out Brown's programme Brown sets out 'long-term' plans
(4 days later)
New anti-terror measures - including post-charge questioning of suspects - are at the heart of Gordon Brown's first Queen's Speech as prime minister. Gordon Brown has set out the "long-term changes" he thinks the UK needs, in his first Queen's Speech as prime minister.
A foreign travel ban on terrorists and possible extension of pre-charge detention are among proposed new laws. New anti-terror measures - including post-charge questioning of suspects - are among 29 bills in the programme.
Mr Brown's programme also includes measures on climate change, health, nuclear power, education and housing. Other measures on climate change, health, nuclear power, education and housing "would help prepare and equip our country for the future".
The Queen said the 29 Bill package was intended to "respond to the rising aspirations" of the British people. But Tory leader David Cameron accused Mr Brown of "stealing" and "recycling" policies, and of "short-termism".
The prime minister - whose plans were set out by the Queen amid traditional pomp and ceremony - is seeking to regain the political initiative after his decision not to call an autumn election so he could set out his vision for the country. BILLS AND MEASURES Terrorism - Post-charge questioning and possible extension of pre-charge detention beyond 28 daysEducation - Raises age of youngsters in education or training to 18Energy - Bill paving the way for new generation of nuclear power plantsClimate change - New powers to meet target of cutting CO2 by 60% by 2050Constitutional reform - Give MPs formal say over going to warHealth - New regulator with power to fine hospitals which fail to meet hygiene standardsWork: Consider extending flexible working to parents of older children class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7080446.stm">Bill-by-bill: Brown's plans class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7081423.stm">Sketch: Not flash Gordon
But Lib Dem Acting Leader Vince Cable accused Mr Brown of producing a legislative programme with no new ideas and "no vision". The prime minister was hoping that his plans for the year ahead - delivered by the Queen in Parliament amid the traditional pomp and ceremony - would help him regain the political initiative after his decision not to call an autumn election.
"Across wide swathes of policy his approach is indistinguishable from the Tories," added Mr Cable. The package of measures was intended to meet "the rising aspirations" of the British people.
Conservative leader David Cameron will give his response during exchanges with Mr Brown in the Commons from about 1500 GMT. An Education and Skills Bill will allow it to be made compulsory for all 16 to 18 year olds in England to be in education or training from 2015.
Detention
In her speech setting out Mr Brown's legislative programme for the next year, 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."
An Education and Skills Bill - will allow it to be made compulsory for all 16 to 18 year olds in England and Wales to be in education or training from 2015.
A new Counter-Terrorism Bill will enable post-charge questioning of suspects and "allow the drawing of adverse inferences from a refusal to say something later relied on in court".A new Counter-Terrorism Bill will enable post-charge questioning of suspects and "allow the drawing of adverse inferences from a refusal to say something later relied on in court".
BILLS AND MEASURES Counter terrorism - post-charge questioning and possible extension of pre-charge detention beyond 28 daysEducation and skills - raises age of youngsters in education or training to 18Energy - Bill paving the way for new generation of nuclear power plantsClimate change - proposes target of cutting CO2 by 60% by 2050Constitutional reform - give MPs formal say over going to warHealth - new regulator with power to fine hospitals which fail to meet hygiene standards Bill-by-bill: Brown's plans In Full: The Queen's Speech
Convicted terrorists will also have to provide police with details of their whereabouts after release and will be banned from foreign travel.Convicted terrorists will also have to provide police with details of their whereabouts after release and will be banned from foreign travel.
On the detention of terror suspects without charge, the government said in supporting documents it was still "considering options". The government also signalled moves to extend the right to request flexible working currently available to parents of children under six to parents of older children.
It is thought to favour doubling the current time limit terror suspects can be held without charge to 56 days. HAVE YOUR SAY Gordon Brown is trying to take the nation's needs into full consideration James Hardaker, Skegness class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3786&edition=1">Send us your comments
But there was no mention in supporting documents of allowing phone-tap evidence in court - one of the anti-terror measures consistently demanded by opposition parties. Giving his response in the Commons, Mr Cameron said he welcomed many of the bills in the Queen's Speech "not least because we proposed them in the first place" - including flexible working.
Housing He accused Mr Brown of being "bereft of vision" and branded his first Queen's Speech "yet another re-launch that's yet another re-hash of short-term gimmicks and the same old thinking".
The Queen told MPs and peers: "My government will seek a consensus on changes to the law on terrorism so that the police and other agencies have the powers they need to protect the public, whilst preserving essential rights and liberties." 'Sad figure'
The Tory leader accused Mr Brown of stealing slogans from the National Front over his 'British jobs for British workers' pledge - and said he could not deliver the change the country needed.
"Say what you like about Tony Blair, at least he was decisive.
Across wide swathes of policy his approach is indistinguishable from the Tories Vince Cable, Acting Lib Dem leader Analysis: Brown's plans
"Isn't it the case that the only real change we've had is to swap a strong prime minister for a weak one?," added Mr Cameron.
Acting Lib Dem Leader Vince Cable, in his response, accused Mr Brown of producing a legislative programme with no new ideas, saying the prime minister "cut a sad figure".
"Across wide swathes of policy his approach is indistinguishable from the Tories," added Mr Cable.
Mr Brown rejected the criticism and said: "On energy, housing, pensions, education, work-life balance, citizenship and anti-terrorism measures, the central purpose of this legislative programme is to make the right long-term changes to prepare and equip our country for the future and to meet the rising aspirations of the British people."
Turning to Mr Cameron's speech he said: "He may be good on jokes but he was pretty bad on policy."
In supporting documents released with the Queen's Speech, the government said it was still "considering options" for increasing from 28 days the limit for detaining terror suspects without charge.
Violent offences
Such an extension is opposed by Tories and Lib Dems, although the Queen had told MPs and peers the government would "seek a consensus on changes to the law on terrorism".
A Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill will introduce restrictions on people convicted of violent offences once they have served their sentences.A Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill will introduce restrictions on people convicted of violent offences once they have served their sentences.
The Reform Treaty is an amending Treaty. All previous amending Treaties have been ratified through Parliament Background documents to Queen's Speech class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7080560.stm">Analysis: Brown's plans In other measures, plans for a new offence of inciting hatred against gay, lesbian and transgender people will also be extended to cover disabled people.
Plans for a new offence of inciting hatred against gay, lesbian and transgender people will also be extended to cover disabled people.
Other bills announced include a Health and Social Care Bill which introduces a single regulator for the health and adult care services who will also have the power to fine hospitals for failing to meet hygiene standards.Other bills announced include a Health and Social Care Bill which introduces a single regulator for the health and adult care services who will also have the power to fine hospitals for failing to meet hygiene standards.
The Queen's Speech is one of the big events of the Parliamentary year with its roll out of the government's plans. EU treaty
But its significance has been diluted this time because much of the content has already been announced by the prime minister. Measures already announced by the prime minister include a pledge to build 3m homes by 2020 - a Housing and Regeneration Bill for England and Wales will create a new homes agency to help ensure more social and private housing.
The programme includes the previously announced pledge 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. Brown's opponents have been quick to deride tired old ideas and policies BBC political editor Nick Robinson class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/2007/11/best_behaviour.html">Read Nick's thoughts in full
Nuclear energy
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.
Plans to allow private companies to build a new generation of nuclear power stations - subject to the current consultation process and provided it is "in the public interest" - are included in an Energy Bill.Plans to allow private companies to build a new generation of nuclear power stations - subject to the current consultation process and provided it is "in the public interest" - are included in an Energy Bill.
The government says it wants a "UK wide investment framework" for energy, but plans to work with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on areas in the bill for which they have responsibility.
There will also be a Climate Change Bill with new powers to help the UK cut carbon emissions by "at least 60%" by 2050.There will also be a Climate Change Bill with new powers to help the UK cut carbon emissions by "at least 60%" by 2050.
But planned legislation on party funding has been put on hold following the breakdown of cross party talks. New proposals will be brought forward "in due course," the government said.But planned legislation on party funding has been put on hold following the breakdown of cross party talks. New proposals will be brought forward "in due course," the government said.
On pensions, there will be a bill requiring employers to contribute to staff schemes and automatically enrol workers on them. There will also be new legislation to protect depositors and ensure confidence in the banking system.
A bill to introduce constitutional reform - including giving MPs the final say over going to war - will also be introduced.
EU treaty
On foreign affairs, the government pledged to continue working with the Iraq government "to deliver security, political reconciliation and economic reconstruction".
It also confirmed Britain's "long-term commitment" to the fight against the Taleban in Afghanistan.
Downing Street also reaffirmed its commitment to ratify the EU reform treaty through Parliament, without a referendum, setting up the prospect of an extended Commons battle with the Conservatives in the new year.Downing Street also reaffirmed its commitment to ratify the EU reform treaty through Parliament, without a referendum, setting up the prospect of an extended Commons battle with the Conservatives in the new year.
"The Reform Treaty is an amending Treaty. All previous amending Treaties have been ratified through Parliament," the government said.