Where do the dangers lie for the coalition's ambitious programme?
The Queen's Speech aimed high – but there are many pitfalls ahead
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ROYAL MAIL
Postal Services Bill
Purpose To enable private companies – and employees – to buy a stake in the Royal Mail. The Government says the injection of cash will rejuvenate the struggling business and safeguard universal deliveries. It promises that the Post Office network will stay in public hands.
Unanswered questions What proportion of the business will go to private investors and Royal Mail staff? Who will take responsibility for its massive pension deficit? How can ministers be sure that private firms will be any more interested in the business than they were when Labour tried to part-privatise the Royal Mail?
Danger rating
Peter Mandelson was forced into a humiliating retreat after he attempted the same thing. There is no guarantee the coalition would find it any easier. Vince Cable should be ready for a bruising battle with unions, and the possibility of industrial action. He will also be aware of the soft spot the public has for the Royal Mail.
CIVIL LIBERTIES
Freedom (Great Repeal) Bill
Purpose To "roll back the state" by restricting the scope of the DNA database, ensuring internet and email records are not stored without good reason, regulating the use of CCTV and easing the current restrictions on protests.
Identity Documents Bill
Purpose ID cards and the national identity register will be scrapped. To be published this week.
Unanswered questions How will the number of CCTV cameras be reduced without harming the fight against crime? How can the ID card scheme be extricated from work on biometric passports?
Danger rating
Nick Clegg's big idea might have widespread support among the political classes. But the public might be less sympathetic to criminals going undetected because CCTV cameras have been taken down and DNA records destroyed.
POLITICAL REFORM
Political Reform Bill
Purpose Fixed-term parliaments will be introduced, with the next general election date set at 7 May 2015. Constituents will also be handed the power to throw out their MP if their representative is found guilty of "serious wrongdoing". It also sets up a referendum on the alternative vote system.
Unanswered questions Though a referendum on AV is promised, no date has yet been announced for the ballot. The timetable on reforming the Lords is equally vague.
Danger rating
As Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs campaign on different sides of the AV debate, tensions will inevitably open between the coalition partners. The proposal that a vote of 55 per cent of MPs would be needed to dissolve Parliament has already caused disquiet on Mr Cameron's own back benches.
POLICE
Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill
Purpose To create "directly elected individuals" ("commissioners" to the Tories) to hold the police to account, set up a dedicated border police force and give police and town halls more power to crack down on rowdy pubs and clubs.
Unanswered questions What safeguards will there be to prevent these individuals influencing operational decisions? How do you stop unrepresentative people grabbing the posts?
Danger rating
Growing police anger that the move will undermine their independence.
EUROPE
European Union Bill
Purpose To guarantee the public a referendum on any proposed transfer of powers to the EU.
Unanswered questions It is unclear whether the guarantee would apply to any strengthening of EU monitoring of national economies following the crisis in Greece. The Tories have shelved plans to repatriate powers on employment law.
Danger rating
Eurosceptic Tory MPs fear a sell-out and will demand a referendum at every opportunity. Tension likely between Tories and Liberal Democrats.
WELFARE
Welfare Reform Bill
Purpose Simplify the benefits system and improve work incentives to get "the 5 million-plus people languishing on benefits into work and out of poverty".
Pensions and Savings Bill
Purpose To raise the state pension age and restore link between basic state pension and earnings from 2012.
Unanswered questions The involvement of private firms in helping people off benefits is likely to be enhanced – but remains unclear. The state pension age is subject to a review.
Danger rating
Cuts in benefits for sick and disabled claimants (rather than new claimants) could prove controversial; possible source of tension between Tories and Liberal Democrats anxious to protect the most vulnerable.
TAX
National Insurance Contributions Bill
Purpose Raise £9bn by raising NICs paid by employees next April, to finance an increase in personal income tax allowances towards the long-term Liberal Democrat goal of £10,000. Labour's proposed rise in NICs for employers will not go ahead. All lower- and middle-income employees to be better off.
Unanswered questions Doubts over whether the Liberal Democrat plan to raise £4.6bn from anti-avoidance measures on tax will be achieved.
Danger rating
Tory MPs are lobbying hard against the Liberal Democrat-inspired plan to increase capital gains tax from 18 per cent to 40 or 50 per cent.
HEALTH
Health Bill
Purpose To set up an independent NHS Board to allocate resources and provide guidance on commissioning; to allow GPs to commission services and to give patients a stronger voice.
Unanswered questions The precise relationship between the new board and ministers, who will still be accountable to Parliament for NHS spending – and may get the blame in any crisis.
Danger rating
End to top-down reorganisations will be widely welcomed but there may still be teething troubles.
SCHOOLS
Academies Bill
Purpose Allows far more schools (including, for the first time, primary and special schools) to become academies, with control over their budgets and admissions policies. Parents, teachers and charities given state funding to set up schools.
Education and Children's Bill
Purpose Introduces "pupil premium" payments for schools with children from poorer families, reforms Ofsted, makes the national curriculum less prescriptive and introduces reading tests for six-year-olds.
Unanswered questions Is there enough time for the first rebranded academies to be operational by September? Who takes responsibility for their teachers' terms and conditions of employment? There is no mention of a figure for the "pupil premium".
Danger rating HHHII
Lots of practical problems to be resolved in a short period of time. Much of it puts the Government on a collision course with the education establishment.
TRANSPORT
Airport Economic Regulation Bill
Purpose To come up with "a new vision for a competitive aviation industry" now new runways have been ruled out in south-east England. It aims to improve airports for passengers. Plans for a high-speed rail line proceed without legislation.
Unanswered questions The coalition now seems to have blocked any increase in aviation infrastructure, leading to fears that other airports in Europe will leave Britain behind.
Danger rating
Both Liberal Democrats and the Tories backed the scrapping of Heathrow's third runway, but there will be rebels within the Conservatives on the side of the aviation industry who back expansion.
ENERGY
Energy Bill
Purpose Improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses. The Bill may go as far as capping emissions from coal-powered fire stations.
Unanswered questions Does not deal with the UK's future energy supply, such as the extent of the use of nuclear energy. Funding for a new "green investment bank" has to be found.
Danger rating
Nuclear energy will be tough to swallow for many Liberal Democrats. They will be allowed to abstain.
QUANGOS
Public Bodies (Reform) Bill
Purpose Cut the number of quangos and make them more accountable.
Unanswered questions Few new details of which ones will be abolished.
Danger rating
Promising a "bonfire of quangos" is easy politics. But every time the axe falls people are thrown on to the dole.
BANKS
Financial Reform Bill
Purpose Responsibility for regulating the financial services to be returned to the Bank of England.
Unanswered questions What role will the Financial Services Authority have? No mention of plans to tax banks' profits or curb large bonuses.
Danger rating
Risk of tensions between Osborne and Cable. Inevitable City opposition.
EQUITABLE LIFE
Equitable Life Bill
Purpose Compensates policyholders (and dependants of those who have died) who lost out when the insurance company Equitable Life came close to collapse in 2000.
Unanswered questions How much will they get back – and when?
Danger rating
Complicated to calculate the compensation, but politically uncontentious.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments