Her Majesty ... the Queen leaves the Houses of Parliament after laying
out the Coalition's plans
A TOUGH new immigration bill is at the centre of the Government's plans laid out in today's Queen's Speech.
The ceremonial state opening saw Her
Majesty spell out laws to put off immigrants who don't benefit Britain
from coming to the country.
The Queen also set out the Coalition's
plans to cap bills for social care and bring in a flat-rate state
pension.
Ceremonial ... Her Majesty and Prince Philip seated in the House of
Lords
Speaking to MPs and peers gathered in the House of Lords in Westminster,
she detailed the crackdown on illegal migrants.
She said that the Immigration Bill will "ensure that this country
attracts people who will contribute and deter those who will not."
Tradition ... Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were also in
attendance
Ray Collins
The plans will also control access to healthcare for migrants and
prevent illegal visitors from getting driving licences.
And laws should make it much easier to kick out people who are not meant
to be in the UK by preventing lengthy appeals against deportation
orders.
GOVERNMENT announces stricter rules for migrants as it outlines its
programme for the next year
The Queen ... Her Majesty travelled from Buckingham Palace to Parliament
for the ceremony
Paul Edwards
But despite the crackdown on immigrants, Tory backbenchers are likely to
be upset by the absence of any confirmation of Britain's EU membership.
Euro-sceptic MPs are now likely to try to table their own private bills
to force the Prime Minister's hand in the ongoing debate.
New role? ... there were rumours that Charles, who attended his first
Queen's Speech for 17 years, may be taking on new duties
The absence of any confirmation of the referendum is likely to play into
the hands of resurgent UKIP who stormed to success in last week's local
elections.
Despite the grand ceremony of the Queen's Speech, the announcement of
Sir Alex Ferguson's resignation almost threatened to overshadow the
occasion.
Pomp and ceremony ... members of the Household Cavalry accompanied the
Queen on her journey to Parliament
Rex
Ex-Cabinet Minister Peter Hain hailed the timing of the Man United
manager's decision to step down and predicted it would wipe out coverage
of the Queen's Speech from the headlines.
And Labour MP John Mann called for Sir Alex to be made a peer, which
would make him the first football manager to take a seat in the House of
Lords.
Rivals ... but the Prime Minister and Ed Miliband put their differences
to one side
Meanwhile, there was good news in the Queen's Speech for opponents of
the so-called "Snooper's Charter" which was ditched by the Government.
The plans would have allowed police forces to access peoples' internet
and email use.
Bodyguards ... the Yeoman of the Guard prepare to kick off the
ceremonial procession into the chamber
Her Majesty's announcement of the Government's agenda was also
significant for what it didn't include as much as what was read out.
She told the assembled MPs that the Coalition's "first priority" was to
find a quick fix for Britain's stagnant economy - something which, it
was admitted, making new laws would not bring about.
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