Rebels threaten Labour's plans

The Queen announced 30 proposals

Tony Blair is facing the prospect of a rebellion on two fronts over the government's legislative programme laid out in the Queen's Speech.

More than 120 backbench Labour MPs have signed a Commons motion criticising plans to charge university students up to £3,000 a year in top-up fees.

Tough measures against asylum seekers have also been widely condemned.

Liberal Democrats and Tories said they would oppose moves to take the children of failed applicants into care.

Winning argument?

Under new plans universities will be free to charge up to £3,000 for courses.

The fees will only be paid back once students have graduated, started work, and are earning more than £15,000 a year.

All they have to offer is open wallets and empty minds Michael Howard Conservative leader Howard attacks asylum 'shame'

The number of Labour MPs against the plans is already enough to defeat the government.

The group, who include five former cabinet ministers, are calling on the government to consider other methods of funding universities.

But Education Secretary Charles Clarke insists the proposal is the fairest way of tackling the funding problems facing them and he believes the leadership will win the argument.

'Deeply offensive'

Some teachers' and lecturers' unions are also critical of the university fees plan, which they say will deter students from poorer families from going to university.

Former Commons leader Robin Cook said the proposals were "deeply offensive".

KEY BILLS Immigration and Asylum Higher Education Domestic violence Judicial reform Pensions Civil contingencies Civil partnerships Traffic management Lords reform Finance Child protection Read full text of speech Tougher domestic violence laws

"In the manifesto we set our face against top-up fees and nobody has explained why it is we should actually change our position from our manifesto, which gave us a mandate to resist top-up fees," he told Channel 4 News.

But the plans have crucial support from one key area - the chief executives of universities - who as a group are represented by Universities UK.

They say universities are severely under-funded and will be unable to deliver on the government's plans to increase the proportion of young people in education unless they get a substantial cash injection.

'Despicable provision'

Speaking in the Commons debate on key plans unveiled in the speech, Tony Blair defended his proposals, saying they were "vital to the future of this country" and to ensuring university access to students from all backgrounds.

The prime minister is also facing widespread condemnation for his plans to put the children of asylum seekers into care if they refuse to return to their homeland.

The Higher Education Bill is about how we get more children from poorer backgrounds into higher education Downing Street spokesman No U-turn on student fees Gay couples promised new rights

Tory leader Michael Howard said the move went "further than any civilised government should go" and his party would oppose "this despicable provision".

"You and the home secretary should be ashamed of yourselves," he told Mr Blair.

The Queen, who addressed MPs and peers amid the traditional pomp in Parliament, laid out the government's plans for 23 bills, two of them carried over from last year's legislative programme, and seven draft bills.

House of Lords

Measures include preparation for ID cards, more rights for same sex couples and a bill to allow a euro referendum.

There are proposals to strengthen the UK's ability to deal with possible terrorist attacks, including updating fire and rescue equipment.

There is a bill aimed at tackling roadworks chaos, while there are also plans to lessen traffic disruption caused by the "school run".

There are moves to reform the House of Lords which would create a Supreme Court and abolish the remaining 92 hereditary peers and the role of Lord Chancellor.

The changes would also stop convicted criminals, such as Lord Archer, from sitting in the upper house.

Pensions

Plans to introduce child trust funds, outlined in the Budget this year, are confirmed, promising every baby up to £500 in a savings account it can access on its 18th birthday.

Moves to speed up house sales include the introduction of "seller's packs" for prospective buyers.

There are also details of a widely expected Pensions Bill aimed at protecting company pension schemes.

Others bills are aimed at tackling disability discrimination and giving more protection to victims of crime, with the creation of a Commissioner for Victims and Crime.

'Lack of ambition'

There are also proposals to update the law on domestic violence and measures aimed at improving child protection, including the creation of a Children's Commissioner for England.

But there was no promise to ban hunting in the Queen's Speech, although Mr Blair pledged to settle the issue in this Parliament.

Mr Howard said the collection of measures showed Mr Blair had "run out of steam and ideas".

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said voters had been disappointed at Labour's lack of ambition after its first term in power.

But countering the criticism, Mr Blair said: "The Queen's Speech ... addresses the issues, even the difficult ones, that allow us to meet the challenge of the future on the basis of achieving opportunity for all."