This document sets out the Government’s draft legislative programme for 2008-9. Many of the measures proposed are to be consulted upon over the coming months.

Key Bills which may have an impact on children, young people and families in Wales include:

Education and skills bill
Will promote "fair access" to schools and improve performance of weakest schools. Will give parents the right to regular information on children's progress, grant workers the right to ask employers for training, create an independent qualifications system. Covers: Some parts whole of UK, some England only, others England and Wales only, or England, Wales and Northern Ireland only.

Equality bill
Will introduce a single equality duty for all public bodies and measures to improve enforcement. Covers: England, Wales and Scotland.

Welfare reform bill
Long-term unemployed forced to start training courses or face benefit cuts - all unemployed people to have their skills assessed when they first claim. Covers: England, Wales and Scotland.

Policing and crime reduction bill
Will include provisions to give members of the public a stronger role in decision-making through directly elected representatives. Covers: Some parts cover whole of UK, others do not.

Law reform, victims and witnesses bill
Will introduce different degrees of homicide including provocation, diminished responsibility, complicity and infanticide - subject to consultation. Covers: Will vary for different parts of the bill.

Citizenship, immigration and borders bill
Will support setting-up of UK Borders Agency and earned citizenship scheme. Streamline existing immigration laws. Covers: Whole of UK. 

Coroners and death certification bill
Will establish national coroners service, with full-time coroners working to minimum standards and right of appeal for bereaved families. New medical examiners to examine cause of death given by doctors. Covers: England and Wales only, with some minor provisions applying in Northern Ireland.

The document can be downloaded from the TSO website.