Queen's speech

The Queen announced 30 proposals

BBC Radio 4's Money Box was broadcast on Saturday, 29 November at 1204 GMT.

The programme was repeated on Sunday, 30 November, 2003 at 2102 GMT.

The government's programme for the next year was unveiled by the Queen at the state opening of Parliament on Wednesday, and personal finance dominated the 23 bills and seven draft bills.

No Queen's speech in recent years has had so much to say about your money. And much of it proved highly controversial.

The Queen spoke about student top-up fees, the single currency, sellers' packs and more.

As expected, the government confirmed plans to set up a pension protection fund to safeguard company schemes; and also its intention to give children born from 1 September, 2002, a trust fund worth £250.

Gay rights

Among the other announcements was the Civil Partnership Bill, which will give legal recognition to gay couples for the first time.

The proposed new rights include pension and property entitlements if couples register their commitment in a civil ceremony.

We spoke to Louis Latourneau, Director of Isis Financial Planners about the much campaigned-for bill.

The government also announced a draft Charities Bill, and it is becoming clear the government wants street agents to declare exactly how much they are getting paid.

Another announcement was that chain gifting schemes may become illegal. Perhaps the best known example of recent years is the Women Empowering Women scheme which spread throughout the UK in 2001.

We spoke to Richard Stone, Trading Standards Manager on the Isle of Wight, where the scheme caused huge problems. He is delighted the problem is being tackled, and only wishes legislation had been in place years ago.

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Click here for details of other items on Money Box on Saturday

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Producer: Jennifer Clarke
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Penny Haslam
Web Producer: Nathalie Knowles