CONTROVERSIAL plans to allow universities to charge students up to £3,000 a year were outlined in the Queen's Speech today.
The Higher Education Bill is one of 23 - and seven draft bills - introduced at the glittering state opening of Parliament. It could be the last legislative programme before the next election.
There was tight security at Westminster for the Queen's arrival in the golden coach as she was due to spell out details of what the Health Secretary John Reid described as a "full and forward-thinking" programme.
It includes plans to give police and councils powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, tougher sentences for repeat offenders and sex offenders, stronger moves against bogus asylum seekers, a draft identity card measure, plans to sack the remaining 92 hereditary peers and a bill to give equal rights to same sex couples.
The plans to charge students tuition fees are likely to be the most controversial in a programme which will give Tony Blair a series of headaches.
The plan is to let universities charge fees of up to £3,000 from September 2006 so that they can compete with the best in the world.
Education Secretary Charles Clarke says help will be offered to the poorest students. Graduates will have to repay the fees only when they are earning more than £15,000 a year and then at a rate linked to their income.
Referendum
Ninety per cent of universities who responded to an opinion poll say they will charge the maximum £3,000 a year and many institutions said they believed they would need up to £7,000 a year - which would mean charges of £21,000 for a three-year degree course.
Dozens of Labour MPs fiercely oppose the move, fearing it will put students off going to college.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said today they would oppose top-up fees and Tory chairman Dr Liam Fox said his party would abolish the fees if they are approved.
Among other ideas is a promise to publish a bill in the New Year on a referendum on the European single currency.
A controversial move is to give gay couples equal rights with other couples.
Some same sex couples face day-to-day problems because their relationship is not recognised legally - for example partners of 10 years standing are not informed by a hospital of the death of their partner.
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