PM publishes draft Queen's speech

Gordon Brown has set out plans for a "fairer and more prosperous" Britain in a draft Queen's speech.

The prime minister used a Commons statement to MPs on Wednesday to set out a raft of future policy plans in his proposed legislative programme for the 2008/09 session of Parliament.

Seeking to restore momentum to his premiership, Brown signalled an intention for new laws on communities, education, health, welfare, immigration and housing.

In total there were plans for 18 full bills, linked under four themes of: economic stability; "making the most of your potential"; personalisation and improvement of public services; and "handing back power to the people".

However the early notification of the proposals is also designed to be an attempt to listen and respond to the public and MPs' views via a consultation process.

Economy

Stressing that his "immediate priority... is to help family finances" and "steer the economy" safely through the global downturn, Brown said that the government would at all times remain focused on ensuring economic stability.

He unveiled plans for a banking bill and a savings bill to bring tighter regulation to the financial services sector and allow for quicker and more effective intervention for failing institutions.

He also announced immediate new measures to help the housing market with legislation to allow local authorities to take possession of unsold new homes for rent.

And there will be £100m more investment in shared equity schemes for first-time buyers.

Education

Parents were promised the right to more information about their children from teachers and a greater say in the running of schools through a new education and skills bill.

Stressing a new drive on standards, Brown said it is "unfair to assign any child to a poor school or even one that is coasting along".

The prime minister pledged that by 2011, "no school [will be] underperforming".

And on further and adult education he said the bill will continue the government's drive to ensure that are more than 200,000 apprenticeships by 2011.

Rights

It will also lead to a "major change in workplace rights... giving every worker the right to request time off to train".

Following a review by Sainsbury's human resources director Imelda Walsh, the business secretary will on Thursday also set out plans for increased flexible working rights for mothers, to include children over six.

Brown said John Hutton will consult on the details with the aim of introducing new rights from next April.

And following a major campaign from unions and Labour backbenchers, the prime minister promised legislation on workplace equality for temporary and agency workers, "subject to an agreement between employers, employees and in Europe".

Equal rights for all will also be re-affirmed in a single equalities bill.

Health

On health Brown proposed a new NHS reform bill to continue the process of "change and renewal".

The legislation will give patients "real power and control" over local services, he said, with an NHS constitution to enshrine their rights and "minimum standards of access, quality and safety".

There will be "new powers to ensure no healthcare provider falls below the minimum standards we require" he promised.

The "next stage of welfare reform" was also flagged up, with a "duty on the unemployed to have their skills needs assessed", as well as more medical assessments and personalised programmes.

Law and order

Brown signalled a new raft of law and order legislation, including a policing and crime reduction bill.

This will "empower citizens" he said, giving them more direct say over how crime is dealt with in their communities via elected representatives on police boards to hold chief constables to account.

Police reform legislation will also mean "less paperwork and more time on the beat" for officers and "improve police performance" he pledged.

On immigration the Home Office will put forward a "new and tougher test for permanent residents for British citizenship", including new English language tests to "ensure the benefits that migration brings while managing it securely".

There will also be a measure to enhance airport security and prevent terrorist attacks at sea.

Communities

A community empowerment bill will seek to give voters a greater say over the work of local public bodies, such as councils, as well as continue economic regeneration and housing reform.

Communities secretary Hazel Blears had said on Tuesday that a sense of powerlessness is now one of the strongest messages coming from the public and fuelling anger with the political process.

On the environment the recommendations of the Pitt review on flood protection will be fully implemented, following last year's floods.

Brown also pledged a path "around the whole of the English coastline" to be open to walkers.

Constitution

The Constitutional Renewal Bill, currently in draft form, is expected to be formalised in law, putting the core values of the civil service on a statutory footing, giving more power to Parliament on declaring war and the ratification of treaties, and reforming the powers of the attorney general.

The statement also included ministers' non-legislative plans, including from the Ministry of Justice white papers on political party funding and House of Lords reform, and a consultation on a British bill of rights and responsibilities.

The publication of the draft legislative agenda was introduced for the first time by Brown last year in a bid to introduce some transparency to the previously secretive process.

Consultation

Following a review, the announcement has been expanded and brought forward to earlier in the year this time in order to increase the opportunities for consultation.

MPs, lobby groups and members of the public will now be invited to have their say on what is and is not in the programme ahead of the full Queen's speech in November.

In the wake of its heavy setbacks in this month's local and London elections - and ahead of the crucial Crewe and Nantwich by-election next week - Labour also hopes the initiative will show that the government is responding to the public's concerns and retains an ambitious forward policy agenda.