Parliament set to debate Queen's Speech

The government will today detail its legislative agenda for the first parliamentary session in Labour's historic third term.

The Queen's speech is thought to number around 40 bills and will include a mix of old and new policy proposals.

Central to the address, to be given to MPs and peers shortly before midday, will be measures to overhaul Britain's welfare system.

New Labour will say it wants to mount a renewed push to get people off welfare and into work.

To be piloted through parliament by David Blunkett, the legislation, which will also focus on reducing the number of people on long-term incapacity benefit could prove controversial among Labour left-wingers.

Blunkett will also secure parliamentary time for a Work and Families Bill which will extend maternity leave and pay and pilot shared equity schemes for home ownership.

Concessions

But to reduce the scope for renewed rebellions, the government appears set to offer some key concessions to its critics.

Measures to scrap trial by jury in terrorism cases appear to have been dropped.

But the Home Office is expected to create an offence of condoning acts of terrorism.

And the government will signal that it is ready to compromise on elements of its ID cards legislation when it is brought back before parliament during this session.

However Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights group Liberty, has already condemned the plan.

"This rehashed ID card scheme is more about political machismo than rational policy," she said.

"It takes pride of place in yet another Queen's speech; long on tough talk and authoritarian controls and pitifully short on positive ideas."

New legislation to toughen the laws against yob culture could also stoke human rights fears.

Today's speech will also contain measures to create an offence of inciting religious hatred.

In other areas a public health bill is likely to feature – as the government tackles the triple threats of obesity, binge drinking and smoking.

MRSA push

That legislation is also likely to include a new assault against the MRSA super bug, which became a major issue during the general election.

Home secretary Charles Clarke will also be given time to introduce a Violent Crime Reduction Bill to restrict the sale of replica guns - raising the age limit for buying knives to 18.

The Home Office is also expected to announce new and tougher asylum and immigration laws - with the focus on completing asylum applications speedily and conclusively.

And following widespread fears over postal ballot fraud, the government is set to announce new legislation in this sphere.

The Electoral Administration Bill will toughen the law - possibly introducing Northern Ireland-style electoral safeguards to prevent further fraud.

Education secretary Ruth Kelly is also expected to introduce an education and skills bill, which will allow good headteachers to take over the running of failing schools.