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Queen to set out deficit promise Queen to set out deficit promise
(about 1 hour later)
The government will promise a bill obliging it to halve its budget deficit within four years when it announces its planned new laws in the Queen's Speech.The government will promise a bill obliging it to halve its budget deficit within four years when it announces its planned new laws in the Queen's Speech.
Ministers are also likely to pledge to prevent bankers who take "reckless" risks from getting bonuses.Ministers are also likely to pledge to prevent bankers who take "reckless" risks from getting bonuses.
Other measures are set to include free social care for the most needy, which Gordon Brown has said is a "priority".Other measures are set to include free social care for the most needy, which Gordon Brown has said is a "priority".
The Tories and Lib Dems say most pledges in the speech will not become law, with an election due by June 2010.The Tories and Lib Dems say most pledges in the speech will not become law, with an election due by June 2010.
This, they argue, make it little more than an early Labour manifesto.This, they argue, make it little more than an early Labour manifesto.
Lord Strathclyde, the shadow leader of the House of Lords, told the Guardian that Tory peers were prepared to obstruct many of the proposals to stop them becoming law before the election. 'Not electioneering'
Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove insisted his party's peers would reject any "actively harmful" bills and would not be deliberately obstructive. But Business Secretary Lord Mandelson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The key message is the same as with every Queen's Speech, this is about governing, it's not about electioneering."
He added: "It will be for the public to judge whether they believe these policies are relevant, achievable and affordable."
EXPECTED NEW MEASURES Fiscal Responsibility Bill - put into law promise to halve deficitFinancial Services and Business Bill - clamp down on bonuses for bankers taking too many risksThe Flood and Water Management Bill - give councils powers to prevent floodsSocial Care Bill - neediest elderly to get home carePolicing, Crime and Private Security Bill - DNA of more sex offenders added to databaseEnergy Bill - give Ofgem more powers to keep prices downBribery Bill - make it offence to bribe foreign officials and for business to fail to prevent briberyDigital Economy Bill - set up fund to bring in universal broadband by 2012Cluster Munitions Prohibition Bill - ratify international ban on cluster bombs
Asked why the Fiscal Responsibility Bill, which would enshrine in law its pledge to halve the budget deficit within four years, did not spell out how that would be achieved, Lord Mandelson said the details would be in next month's pre-Budget report.
The UK, which now has overall debt of £825bn, is set to borrow a record £175bn over the next two years.
Commons leader Harriet Harman has said "most" of the proposed bills will be passed before the next election.Commons leader Harriet Harman has said "most" of the proposed bills will be passed before the next election.
Elderly care But Lord Strathclyde, the shadow leader of the House of Lords, told the Guardian that Tory peers were prepared to obstruct many of the proposals.
The Queen's Speech, written by the government but delivered by the monarch, accompanied by much pomp and ceremony, is part of the State Opening of Parliament - the beginning of the parliamentary year.The Queen's Speech, written by the government but delivered by the monarch, accompanied by much pomp and ceremony, is part of the State Opening of Parliament - the beginning of the parliamentary year.
Bankers' bonuses
It outlines the legislative programme for the next 12 months - or, in this case, until Parliament dissolves for the next general election.It outlines the legislative programme for the next 12 months - or, in this case, until Parliament dissolves for the next general election.
The government is expected to announce a Fiscal Responsibility Bill, which would enshrine in law its promise to halve its budget deficit within four years.
EXPECTED NEW MEASURES Fiscal Responsibility Bill - put into law promise to halve deficitFinancial Services and Business Bill - clamp down on bonuses for bankers taking too many risksThe Flood and Water Management Bill - give councils powers to prevent floodsSocial Care Bill - neediest elderly to get home carePolicing, Crime and Private Security Bill - DNA of more sex offenders added to databaseEnergy Bill - give Ofgem more powers to keep prices downBribery Bill - make it offence to bribe foreign officials and for business to fail to prevent briberyDigital Economy Bill - set up fund to bring in universal broadband by 2012Cluster Munitions Prohibition Bill - ratify international ban on cluster bombs
The UK, which now has overall debt of £825bn, is set to borrow a record £175bn over the next two years.
The Queen's Speech is also set to include a Financial Services and Business Bill, which would give the Financial Services Authority more power to ban the bonuses of bankers who take "reckless" and "excessive" risks.The Queen's Speech is also set to include a Financial Services and Business Bill, which would give the Financial Services Authority more power to ban the bonuses of bankers who take "reckless" and "excessive" risks.
WHAT IS THE QUEEN'S SPEECH? Written by the government and delivered by the reigning monarch, it sets out the legislative agenda for the year ahead and is the centrepiece of the state opening of Parliament The Queen normally attends in person at the state opening of Parliament and delivers the speech from the grand throne in the House of Lords Doesn't include everything- the Budget and pre-Budget report are also increasingly used to set out strategy and announce new measuresYou will be able to watch the BBC television special on this page from 1030 GMT What is the Queen's Speech?
The Flood and Water Management Bill, following the disasters of summer 2007, would give local authorities the lead responsibility for managing the risk of future flooding.The Flood and Water Management Bill, following the disasters of summer 2007, would give local authorities the lead responsibility for managing the risk of future flooding.
Meanwhile, elderly people with the most desperate needs are likely to be promised free care in their own homes, as part of the Social Care Bill.Meanwhile, elderly people with the most desperate needs are likely to be promised free care in their own homes, as part of the Social Care Bill.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, the prime minister said the social care system was not "fit for purpose" and must be reformed to give people more security and dignity in old age.In an interview with the Daily Mail, the prime minister said the social care system was not "fit for purpose" and must be reformed to give people more security and dignity in old age.
There is also expected to be a Policing, Crime and Private Security Bill, requiring sexual or serious offenders convicted before 2004 or convicted abroad to add their details to the DNA database.There is also expected to be a Policing, Crime and Private Security Bill, requiring sexual or serious offenders convicted before 2004 or convicted abroad to add their details to the DNA database.
An Improving Schools and Safeguarding Children Bill would replace school league tables in England with school report cards and end national literacy and numeracy strategies.An Improving Schools and Safeguarding Children Bill would replace school league tables in England with school report cards and end national literacy and numeracy strategies.
'Short-termist''Short-termist'
Meanwhile, an Energy Bill is expected to give the regulator Ofgem more power to intervene to force down utility prices.Meanwhile, an Energy Bill is expected to give the regulator Ofgem more power to intervene to force down utility prices.
A maximum of 70 to 80 days of parliamentary business are expected before Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls the next general election.A maximum of 70 to 80 days of parliamentary business are expected before Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls the next general election.
The election must take place by 3 June but many pundits say 6 May, when local elections are held in England, is the most likely date.The election must take place by 3 June but many pundits say 6 May, when local elections are held in England, is the most likely date.
WHAT IS THE QUEEN'S SPEECH? Written by the government and delivered by the reigning monarch, it sets out the legislative agenda for the year ahead and is the centrepiece of the state opening of Parliament The Queen normally attends in person at the state opening of Parliament and delivers the speech from the grand throne in the House of Lords Doesn't include everything- the Budget and pre-Budget report are also increasingly used to set out strategy and announce new measures What is the Queen's Speech?
Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said it was an "Alice in Wonderland" Queen's Speech - "trying to get us to believe five impossible things before breakfast".Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said it was an "Alice in Wonderland" Queen's Speech - "trying to get us to believe five impossible things before breakfast".
He accused the government of trying to make bad schools, inequality and poverty disappear simply by passing legislation.He accused the government of trying to make bad schools, inequality and poverty disappear simply by passing legislation.
But he said his party's peers would reject any "actively harmful" bills and would not be deliberately obstructive.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg accused ministers of "hijacking" the Queen's Speech to score political points in the lead-up to the election and dismissed some of the bills as "laughable".Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg accused ministers of "hijacking" the Queen's Speech to score political points in the lead-up to the election and dismissed some of the bills as "laughable".
He likened the bill to halve the budget deficit to legislating "to make the sun shine next Tuesday" and said the remaining business days of the current Parliament should be used to "clean up the mess".He likened the bill to halve the budget deficit to legislating "to make the sun shine next Tuesday" and said the remaining business days of the current Parliament should be used to "clean up the mess".
But Ms Harman, who as Commons leader helps decide which bills are given parliamentary priority, said most of the measures in the Queen's Speech had time to become law.
She told the BBC: "I don't think it is right that we should be clocking-off now before a general election, which probably won't be until next year."
What would you like to see in the Queen's Speech? What do you think of the proposed new bills outlined in this story? Send us your comments.What would you like to see in the Queen's Speech? What do you think of the proposed new bills outlined in this story? Send us your comments.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions