The British government is announcing details today of its legislative plans at the state opening of parliament by the Queen.

One key element will be a plan to sweep away the voting rights of peers who inherit the right to sit in the upper Chamber of parliament, the House of Lords.

The Labour government says they are unrepresentative and undemocratic, providing the opposition Conservatives with a large inbuilt majority.

Other legislation is expected to include a bill affecting asylum seekers.

But some long-awaited reforms, such as a freedom of information act and changes in political party funding, are likely to be delayed.