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Queen's Speech: PM Backs Off On Human Rights

David Cameron has opted to consult on controversial plans to scrap the Human Rights Act rather than rush legislation through in the coming months.

While the plans are expected to be mentioned in today's Queen's Speech, the Prime Minister will not bring forward legislation straight away because the Government does not want to "rush it through".

Scrapping the act, which the Government says will make the Supreme Court the ultimate court so matters are not decided in Europe, could see Britain withdrawing from the European Convention of Human Rights.

This possibility has triggered considerable concern - including among some Conservative MPs.

Britain has been signed up to the convention, which was set up after the Second World War, for more than 60 years and there are fears withdrawing would send the wrong message to countries with a poor record on human rights.

Labour, the SNP and the Lib Dems are all opposed to scrapping the Human Rights Act and a number of prominent Conservatives, including former Attorney General Dominic Grieve, have spoken out against it.

With a majority of just 12, Mr Cameron could face a struggle to get any bill through and there have been suggestions the House of Lords, which does not have a Tory majority, would throw it out.

A Government source said: "The key thing is it will be in Queen's Speech. The Government will commit to bring forward proposals.

"We just won't commit to a timetable for legislation, but a Bill this session won't be ruled in or out. It's a hugely important constitutional bill and we've got to do it properly, not rush it through."

Also included in the Queen's speech will be legislation to ensure people working 30 hours a week on minimum wage will no longer have to pay income tax.

The Queen will set out the Government's legislative plans at the State Opening of Parliament later today.

It will be the first all-Conservative Queen's Speech since 1996, and is also expected to feature an EU Referendum Bill that will give Britons a vote on membership to Europe by 2017 .

The Queen will also announce a bill to curb illegal immigration and an extension of the Right to Buy scheme.

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Speaking ahead of the speech, Mr Cameron said: "This is the Queen's Speech for working people from a One Nation Government that will bring our country together.

"We have a mandate from the British people, a clear manifesto and the instruction to deliver. And we will not waste a single moment in getting on with the task.

"As part of our long-term plan to back working people and make work pay, the Government is determined to reward work by letting people keep even more of the money they earn."

Other plans to be laid out by the Queen include doubling the amount of free childcare, creating three million apprenticeships and introducing £8bn more funding for the NHS.

Devolution will be another key focus, with extra powers to English regions and the Scotland bill promising more devolution north of the border.

And a five-year "tax lock" will mean there will be no income tax, VAT or national insurance rises in this Parliament.

But despite Mr Cameron's claim that the Government is seeking to "bring our country together," acting Labour leader Harriet Harman says she fears the reality of the Tories' plans "will be very different from the rhetoric".

"The Queen's Speech will talk of a 'One Nation approach' - yet Cameron sets the nations of the country against each other," she said.

"The Queen's Speech will talk of helping 'working people' - yet Cameron threatens basic rights at work.

"The real question for this Queen's Speech will be whether it improves our country, our communities and people."