Blair braced for his toughest year

Nov 26 2003 By The Journal

The Government's in-day

The List of measures expected to be announced in today's Queen's Speech includes:

FOX HUNTING. The Government is set to force through a ban in the teeth of opposition from the House of Lords.

TOP-UP FEES. Will enable universities to charge students up to £3,000 a year, to be repaid after they graduate.

GAY MARRIAGES. Same sex couples to be given similar rights to married couples including the ability to register their partnerships.

BABY BONDS. Will set up legal framework for Chancellor Gordon Brown's scheme for child trust funds worth £250.

ASYLUM. A fresh clampdown on immigration and asylum cheats coupled with faster appeals.

LORDS REFORM. The Government will finally evict the 92 remaining hereditary peers from the Second Chamber.

ID CARDS. A draft bill to establish legal framework for introduction of ID cards at the end of the decade.

EMERGENCY POWERS. Will allow the Government sweeping powers to tackle terrorism.

ROADWORKS. Will mean fines for utility companies if they miss deadlines for completing work which disrupts traffic.

CHILD PROTECTION. Creation of new offence of "grooming" children for abuse over the Internet.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. Will bring in tougher penalties for abusers of spouses and children.

ENERGY. A Bill to provide further subsidies for the decommissioning of privatised nuclear power plants.