Queen's Speech: Government programme at a glance

New Labour's legislative programme for the first parliamentary session of its third term in power was set out today in a Queen's Speech made up of 45 Bills and another five draft Bills.

New Labour's legislative programme for the first parliamentary session of its third term in power was set out today in a Queen's Speech made up of 45 Bills and another five draft Bills.

Key measures outlined in the Speech include:

IDENTITY CARD BILL: Will allow for the phased introduction of ID cards to counter identity fraud. Includes a new criminal offence of having false identity documents.

INCAPACITY BENEFIT BILL: Would replace the existing incapacity benefit scheme with a revised system of benefits for new claimants.

IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM BILL: Provides for a 'points' system for economic migrants, favouring those with in-demand skills. Outlines a "rationalised appeals system for managed migration routes". Includes measures to fingerprint visa applicants and allow full use of biometrically-enabled travel documents. Also introduces civil penalties for employers of illegal workers and limits appeal rights for students, workers and family visits.

EDUCATION BILL: Introduces new powers for local councils and the standards watchdog Ofsted to tackle school failure and under-performance. Every child will have access to a tailored package of learning to help them in their weakest subjects, and maximise their opportunities in their strongest.

Successful schools will be given greater independence, with more flexibility in the structure of governing bodies. Primary schools, like secondary schools, will be able to become foundation schools by a simple vote of their governing body, following consultation with parents. The Bill also allows for new providers to enter the state system, subject to parental demand, fair funding and fair admissions.

HEALTH BILL: Introduces new measures to help the fight against MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections through improved inspections and new sanctions where services fail. The Bill also includes new measures to make most enclosed public places and workplaces smoke-free.

VIOLENT CRIME BILL: Includes tougher laws on the sale of replica firearms, raises the minimum age on knife purchases from 16 to 18 and gives headteachers the power to search students for knives. It also gives police the power to impose immediate 24-hour bans on pubs and clubs persistently selling alcohol to under-18s, and provides for the creation of Alcohol Disorder Zones so that in the worst areas licensed premises would contribute to the costs of dealing with alcohol-related disorder.

INCITEMENT TO RELIGIOUS HATRED BILL: Expands the current offence of incitement to racial hatred in the Public Order Act 1986 to cover instances where people stir up hatred of others on the basis of their religious belief.

ELECTORAL ADMINISTRATION BILL: Will establish new electoral fraud offences, introduce a marked register of postal votes received to prevent fraud and improve security markings on ballot papers.

MANAGEMENT OF OFFENDERS BILL: Allows for electronic monitoring as a condition of community service and tagging of defendants on bail.

HOUSING BENEFIT BILL: The Bill would extend tenants' personal responsibility for paying their rent; provide local authorities with clearer powers to investigate benefit fraud; and give tenants more choice when making housing decisions.

CHILDCARE BILL: Designed to ensure that an affordable, flexible, high quality child care place would be available to all families with children aged up to 14 who need it.

PARENTAL RIGHTS BILL: Extends statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance from six to nine months. Allows mothers to transfer some of their maternity leave and pay to the father.

PROTECTING VULNERABLE GROUPS BILL: Would respond to a key recommendation made by the Bichard Inquiry into the Soham murders for a registration scheme to prevent those who are deemed to be unsuitable from gaining access to children or vulnerable adults through their work.

CHILD CONTACT AND INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION BILL: Provides the courts with new powers to enforce contact orders and introduces a new framework for the suspension of adoptions from countries where there are concerns about the adoption process.

MENTAL HEALTH BILL: Establishes a new legal framework for treating people with a mental disorder without their consent when they pose a risk to themselves or to others.

Other measures include: An NHS REDRESS BILL to reform the NHS compensation system; a CRIMINAL DEFENCE BILL to reform legal aid; a CONSUMER CREDIT BILL to reform lending practices; a COMPANY LAW REFORM BILL to simplify company law and reduce regulation on small businesses; a CHARITIES BILL to reform charity law.

A ROAD SAFETY BILL to reform road traffic offences and penalties; an EQUALITY BILL to establish a single Commission for Equality and Human Rights to promote human rights and tackle discrimination; a GOVERNMENT OF WALES BILL to enhance the legislative powers of the National Assembly of Wales.

A CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER BILL to reform the law governing organisations which pay inadequate regard for the safety of workers or the public, resulting in death; an EU REFERENDUM BILL to provide for a referendum on the EU Constitutional Treaty: a NATURAL ENVIRONMENT BILL, which will create a single organisation, Natural England, to manage the natural environment; an OLYMPICS BILL, to make the necessary provisions in the event that London wins the 2012 Olympic Games; an ARMED FORCES BILL, which will establish a single system of service law for the armed forces.

Draft measures signalled in the Speech include a COUNTER TERRORISM BILL, which is expected to include new offences of "acts preparatory to terrorism" and of "glorifying or condoning" acts of terrorism, and a PENSIONS BILL, which will contain the Government's response to the Pensions Commission's report, due in the autumn, on the future of pensions.