Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced a string of new laws as he tries to pick up the pieces of his leadership.

Unveiling his Queen's Speech proposals, the Prime Minister told the Commons there will be a Banking Bill to bolster protection for depositors and a Savings Bill creating a national savings scheme for eight million people on low incomes, with each pound saved getting a contribution from the Government.

Mr Brown said an Education Bill would give parents the right to regular information on their children's progress, make the qualification system independent and make schools more accountable to parents.

He said workers would be given the right to request time to train and improve their skills.

New legislation will oblige the unemployed to have their skills assessed and undertake training, while all Incapacity Benefit claimants will be required to have a medical and follow a programme designed to help them return to work.

Mr Brown said the Government would extend the right of flexible working to parents with older children from next April, but details of how this would be implemented will go out for consultation.

He also unveiled proposals for an NHS Reform Bill which would create a constitution for the service, setting out rights to minimum standards of access, quality and safety.

NHS hospitals will also have their funding adjusted based on patient satisfaction and health outcomes.

The Prime Minister said plans would be brought forward for directly elected representatives who could give local people more control over policing priorities and performance.

Supporters are hoping the speech will add momentum to Labour's efforts to claw its way back out of the deepest trough in its fortunes for more than a decade.

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