The charter programme will find better ways of converting money into better services. British Prime Minister John Major

League tables of examination results, truancy and leavers' destinations will be introduced in schools.

Similar tables showing council performance will also become available when a new bill allows the Audit Commission greater access to their accounts.

For the first time NHS patients will have guaranteed time limits for all consultations and some treatments.

The utilities - including gas and electricity - will also be expected to offer and keep appointments for home visits, as part of the attempt to put consumers' rights first.

Compensation will be available for some delayed and cancelled trains and further steps will be taken to privatise British Rail. Neil Kinnock dismissed the scheme as "very unconvincing", without additional money to pay for it.

Political commentators suspect these extensive plans mean a general election will be delayed until next year.

The Labour lead in opinion polls has already been cut to three points.

The Labour Party has just launched its own citizen's charter and criticised the government's effort for failing to introduce a freedom of information act.

The Liberal Democrats are dissatisfied there is no mention of constitutional reform.

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