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Cameron and Clegg promise 'bold' final Queen's Speech Cameron and Clegg promise 'bold' final Queen's Speech
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron and Nick Clegg have said their final Queen's Speech before the general election will be "unashamedly pro-work and pro-business".David Cameron and Nick Clegg have said their final Queen's Speech before the general election will be "unashamedly pro-work and pro-business".
The Queen will announce the laws the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition hopes to pass before the May 2015 poll when she opens Parliament on Wednesday.The Queen will announce the laws the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition hopes to pass before the May 2015 poll when she opens Parliament on Wednesday.
Ministers say changes to annuities and funding of workplace pensions will show the coalition's continuing "boldness".Ministers say changes to annuities and funding of workplace pensions will show the coalition's continuing "boldness".
Proposals to "recall" failed MPs are also expected to be among bills tabled.Proposals to "recall" failed MPs are also expected to be among bills tabled.
The last session of the current five-year Parliament is expected to last until next April, with a general election scheduled to take place on 7 May 2015.The last session of the current five-year Parliament is expected to last until next April, with a general election scheduled to take place on 7 May 2015.
Ministers say the measures to be announced on Wednesday will mark a "significant step" in helping to embed the economic recovery and in promoting work, enterprise and opportunity.Ministers say the measures to be announced on Wednesday will mark a "significant step" in helping to embed the economic recovery and in promoting work, enterprise and opportunity.
'Getting on''Getting on'
They will also seek to refute opposition claims that the coalition has run out of steam and that the months leading up to the election will be dominated by wrangling and attempts by the coalition partners to put distance between themselves ahead of May's poll.They will also seek to refute opposition claims that the coalition has run out of steam and that the months leading up to the election will be dominated by wrangling and attempts by the coalition partners to put distance between themselves ahead of May's poll.
In a ceremony rich with historic pomp and pageantry, the Queen will announce the government's legislative programme for the year ahead just before 11:40 BST.In a ceremony rich with historic pomp and pageantry, the Queen will announce the government's legislative programme for the year ahead just before 11:40 BST.
It will then be debated by MPs in the Commons on Wednesday afternoon.It will then be debated by MPs in the Commons on Wednesday afternoon.
Among the measures expected to feature are:Among the measures expected to feature are:
The prime minister and his deputy said the emphasis of the programme would be helping those "who want to get on in life".The prime minister and his deputy said the emphasis of the programme would be helping those "who want to get on in life".
"We may be two parties, with two different philosophies but we understand one thing," they said in a joint statement."We may be two parties, with two different philosophies but we understand one thing," they said in a joint statement.
"Countries rise when their people rise. So this Queen's Speech is unashamedly pro-work, pro-business and pro-aspiration.""Countries rise when their people rise. So this Queen's Speech is unashamedly pro-work, pro-business and pro-aspiration."
The fracking bill has prompted a protest by Greenpeace activists, who say they have erected a fence around Mr Cameron's Oxfordshire home and put up a sign saying: "We apologise for any inconvenience we may cause while we frack under your home".The fracking bill has prompted a protest by Greenpeace activists, who say they have erected a fence around Mr Cameron's Oxfordshire home and put up a sign saying: "We apologise for any inconvenience we may cause while we frack under your home".
'Distract attention' BBC experts' views
"When Her Majesty reads out what is, in effect, Parliament's "to do list" she's expected to quote her government's oft repeated promise to continue with its "long-term plan" - which may well produce a groan or two from some opposition MPs and peers. David Cameron and Nick Clegg are desperate to answer the charge that they have run out of ideas which their two parties can sign up to and are simply running down the clock until polling day." Read Nick Robinson's full preview.
"As you watch the state opening of parliament, remember it is one of the strongest ceremonial demonstrations of our liberty that we have. Democracy is not just the freedom to vote out a government we dislike; it is also the freedom not to be ruled by an autocratic monarch chosen by God. It is what our ancestors fought over in the civil war. And it is a right that we are reminded of every year." James Landale on how the Queen's Speech show us who isn't boss.
Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg said the legislative programme was testament to the coalition's longevity and the fact it was still capable of "taking bold steps".Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg said the legislative programme was testament to the coalition's longevity and the fact it was still capable of "taking bold steps".
They say the pension changes would provide "freedom and security in retirement", suggesting they would prove every bit as radical as reforms to schools and welfare since 2010 in terms of empowering people.They say the pension changes would provide "freedom and security in retirement", suggesting they would prove every bit as radical as reforms to schools and welfare since 2010 in terms of empowering people.
Campaigners have welcomed more innovation in pensions provision but warned that the changes are not risk-free and said employees and employers must be helped to make informed choices.Campaigners have welcomed more innovation in pensions provision but warned that the changes are not risk-free and said employees and employers must be helped to make informed choices.
Labour leader Ed Miliband called for a Queen's Speech which "signals a new direction for Britain, not one which offers more of the same".Labour leader Ed Miliband called for a Queen's Speech which "signals a new direction for Britain, not one which offers more of the same".
"We need action, we need answers, we need a programme for government equal to the scale of the challenge our country faces," he said. "We would have a Queen's Speech with legislation which would make work pay, reform our banks, freeze energy bills and build homes again in Britain.""We need action, we need answers, we need a programme for government equal to the scale of the challenge our country faces," he said. "We would have a Queen's Speech with legislation which would make work pay, reform our banks, freeze energy bills and build homes again in Britain."
Labour would support an anti-slavery bill if, as expected, it is among the measures announced, Angela Eagle, shadow leader of the House of Commons, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.Labour would support an anti-slavery bill if, as expected, it is among the measures announced, Angela Eagle, shadow leader of the House of Commons, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
But on the Queen's Speech as a whole, she added: "Just because the government announces it's a bold programme, does not mean actually that it is".But on the Queen's Speech as a whole, she added: "Just because the government announces it's a bold programme, does not mean actually that it is".
The State Opening of Parliament, one of the highlights of the Westminster calendar, used to take place in the autumn but was moved to the early summer by the coalition government.The State Opening of Parliament, one of the highlights of the Westminster calendar, used to take place in the autumn but was moved to the early summer by the coalition government.
With Parliament taking a six-week summer recess from July and rising for a further five weeks for the party conference season in September, parliamentary time available to agree new legislation will be limited.With Parliament taking a six-week summer recess from July and rising for a further five weeks for the party conference season in September, parliamentary time available to agree new legislation will be limited.
In addition, six bills - including one authorising the building of a new high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands - are being carried over from the last session.In addition, six bills - including one authorising the building of a new high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands - are being carried over from the last session.
Business groups urged the government not to over-legislate and to focus on maximising the benefits of the upturn in the economy.Business groups urged the government not to over-legislate and to focus on maximising the benefits of the upturn in the economy.
"Ministers' attention should be focused firmly on delivering existing commitments - from deregulation to infrastructure - rather than introduce a raft of new bills that distract their attention from economic growth," said Adam Marshall, director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce."Ministers' attention should be focused firmly on delivering existing commitments - from deregulation to infrastructure - rather than introduce a raft of new bills that distract their attention from economic growth," said Adam Marshall, director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce.
The Green Party of England and Wales, meanwhile, has called for an end for all public subsidies of fossil fuels, a pay cap for executives and limiting rent increases for tenants to inflation.The Green Party of England and Wales, meanwhile, has called for an end for all public subsidies of fossil fuels, a pay cap for executives and limiting rent increases for tenants to inflation.