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Security focus for Queen's Speech Blair plans final security blitz
(20 minutes later)
Security in a fast-changing world will be the central theme of the Queen's Speech, Home Secretary John Reid says. Plans to combat terrorism, crime and anti-social behaviour will dominate Tony Blair's final months in office.
Mr Reid said security from the "front room to the global level" will be addressed in the coming parliamentary session, which is Tony Blair's last. Tackling climate change and reforming pensions will also be key parts of the government's programme of 29 bills for the coming Parliamentary session.
The government's plans, including those for climate change, immigration and organised crime, will be revealed amid pomp and ceremony in Parliament. There will also be moves to strengthen border controls, prevent illegal working and push ahead with ID cards.
The Queen has arrived in Westminster to make her speech. The government's priorities were set out in Parliament by the Queen amid the traditional pomp and ceremony.
Mr Reid said security ranged from personal security and community security, such as tackling anti-social behaviour, to global security. The Queen told MPs: "At the heart of my government's programme will be further action to provide strong, secure and stable communities, and to address the threat of terrorism.
'Wave' of plots "My government will put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system, support the police and all those responsible for the public's safety and proceed with the development of ID cards."
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it appeared there was a "wave" of terrorist plots in Britain, planned strategically and directed from abroad by al-Qaeda. Pension reform
Asked to respond to criticism that there had been enough criminal justice changes during Labour's 10 years in government, he said: "The world keeps changing, the agenda must keep changing and when the world changes it brings new challenges." In what it is describing as an "ambitious" Queen's Speech for the "aspiring majority", the government will also push ahead with plans to implement the Turner report on pensions.
EXPECTED BILLS Climate Change BillPensions BillSerious Crime BillCriminal Justice BillFraud BillMental Health BillRoad Transport BillWelfare Reform BillCrossrail Bill What is the Queen's Speech? UK faces wave of terror plots BILLS Climate Change BillPensions BillSerious Crime BillCriminal Justice BillAnti-Terrorism BillFraud BillMental Health BillRoad Transport BillWelfare Reform BillCrossrail Bill What is the Queen's Speech? UK faces wave of terror plots
He said organised crime was "at a level unprecedented 10 to 20 years ago" and mass migration meant changes were needed to immigration policy. These include restoring the link with earnings and giving more women access to the state pension.
"That's top of people's priorities and it will the centre of our approach." On the environment, the government has rejected Conservative calls for annual pollution targets in favour of a long-term goal of a 60% cut in carbon emmission by 2050 and an independent panel to monitor progress.
Shami Chakrabarti, director of the pressure group, Liberty, agreed many people were worried about levels of immigration, but says politicians should take some of the blame for that. On Lords reform, ministers have pledged to continue seeking a cross-party consensus - but say they remain committed to abolishing the remaining herditary peers and holding a free vote on the composition of the second chamber.
She told the BBC: "For at least a decade, home secretaries of both colours have always talked about asylum and immigration in the same sentence almost, as terrorism and crime." Also included are plans to:
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Pensions reform
  • Extend road pricing schemes
    • She said tying immigration to the "war on terror", or law and order was not a "healthy way to have that debate".
  • Give new powers to seize criminal assets
    • Other bills are expected to tackle Lords reform and Pensions reform, as well as a new crime of possessing violent pornography.
  • Give new powers to London's mayor
    • There will also be three bills carried over from the last session, covering welfare reform, corporate manslaughter and Crossrail.
  • Scrap the Child Support Agency
    • The government must deliver a proper climate change bill in the Queen's Speech - not a watered-down version David CameronConservative leader href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4725&start=0&edition=1&ttl=20061114175645" class="">Send us your comments
  • Reform regulation of human embryology
    • The event itself sees the Queen deliver a speech, written by the government, setting out the government's plans for the coming session of Parliament.
  • Tighten regulation of estate agents
    • That session is scheduled to last until next November, and as Mr Blair has said he will stand down by next September, it will be his last one in office. But as in recent years, it is the Home Office that will have the heaviest workload, with eight separate bills included in the programme.
    The immigration measures are expected to put into practice the plans unveiled in the summer for tighter immigration controls and firmer action against employers who use illegal immigrant labour.
    Climate change
    Sentencing reforms could see criminals caught red-handed lose the right to have their sentences cut by a third if they plead guilty, and tougher sentences for violent prisoners.Sentencing reforms could see criminals caught red-handed lose the right to have their sentences cut by a third if they plead guilty, and tougher sentences for violent prisoners.
    Environment Secretary David Miliband has already indicated that a climate change bill will be introduced, in the wake of the Stern Report. Police will also be given the power to throw home-owners out of their properties within 48 hours for committing anti-social behaviour.
    It will not go as far as Tory leader David Cameron's calls for annual binding reductions in carbon emissions, but is likely to include longer term statutory targets. Crossrail
    Dropping the Marine Bill is a blow to coastal areas and our marine environment, which is ill-protected and anarchically managed Chris Huhne MPLib Dems The immigration measures are expected to put into practice the plans unveiled in the summer for tighter immigration controls and firmer action against employers who use illegal immigrant labour.
    Mr Cameron said: "The government must deliver a proper climate change bill in the Queen's Speech... not a watered-down version." Some ministers are said to be in favour of a new attempt to allow the detention of terrorism suspects for up to 90 days, before they are charged.
    Last year, a combination of Tory, Liberal Democrat and rebel Labour MPs defeated the government amid civil liberties fears, and pushed through a 28-day limit instead.
    The government must deliver a proper climate change bill in the Queen's Speech - not a watered-down version David CameronConservative leader Send us your comments
    There are also plans to abolish jury trials in complex fraud cases.
    An amendment from the abandoned Mental Health Bill is likely to permit people with severe personality disorders to be given compulsory detention and treatment.An amendment from the abandoned Mental Health Bill is likely to permit people with severe personality disorders to be given compulsory detention and treatment.
    The Marine Bill promised in Labour's 2005 manifesto was never introduced and has reportedly been dropped from the Queen's Speech. Michael Stone - the killer of Lyn and Megan Russell - had a severe personality disorder and was considered dangerous, but because his condition was untreatable, he could not be detained under the Mental Health Act.
    Lib Dem environment spokesman Chris Huhne MP criticised the move, saying without it, more "environmental degradation" was likely. In addition to the new measures unveiled, three bills have been carried over from the last session, covering welfare reform, corporate manslaughter and Crossrail.
    "Dropping the Marine Bill is a blow to coastal areas and our marine environment, which is ill-protected and anarchically managed. The session is scheduled to last until next November, and as Mr Blair has said he will stand down by next September. It will be his last one in office.
    "The current laws are utterly inadequate to protect and enhance our coastal zones and territorial waters." Later on Wednesday Conservative leader David Cameron, who warned against a watered down Climate Change Bill, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell will give their reaction to the package to MPs in the House of Commons.