Law and order issues are expected to be placed centre stage today when the Queen sets out the government's legislative agenda for the next session of parliament.

The theme of today's speech is expected to be "safety and security", with six Home Office bills designed to tackle the terror threat and deal with anti-social behaviour.

Today's newspapers report that legislation is expected on identity cards, cleaner neighbourhoods and the creation of a "British FBI". New measures to combat drug use and combat terrorism are also expected.

Blunkett insists that he has no intention of "lowering the threshold" for somebody to be arrested.

"We are tidying up the Police and Criminal Evidence Act but actually I think people will find it a benefit rather than some sort of draconian extension," he said.

Writing in the Times, Commons leader Peter Hain says there will be 37 bills in full or draft form.

He dismisses claims that ministers are "legislative junkies", arguing that it is "important that we defend the positive power for good that government can and should be".

A consumer credit bill is expected to extend consumer credit laws to all personal borrowing.

And a judicial pensions bill will exempt judges from tighter pension tax controls.

The Telegraph reports that contrary to foreign secretary Jack Straw's hopes, a bill on the EU referendum is not expected to name a date for the vote.

The paper also says that ministers may table an amendment to an animal welfare bill to delay the introduction of the hunting ban.