Britain's new coalition government has unveiled its major policy agenda for the next five years, touting immigration, economic, education and welfare reforms as its top priorities.
Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron and his Liberal Democrat deputy Nick Clegg outlined the plans on Thursday, saying the historic blueprint thrashed out between their parties would pave the way for radical change.
Among the raft of policies in the 34-page blueprint was confirmation of new rules which could make it harder for Australians to live and work in Britain.
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The new government intends to introduce a cap on immigrants arriving in Britain from non-European Union member countries like Australia and New Zealand.
Details of how the cap will be implemented are yet to be determined.
Policy blueprint unveiled
Mr Cameron said the cap would ensure net levels of immigration returned to levels in the "tens of thousands, not hundreds of thousands".
"It's clearly a big change that needs to take place and we need to now set out how we're going to put the cap in place and how the consultations on that operate," he told reporters in London.
The policy blueprint was put together in the nine days since the Tories and Lib Dems agreed to form a coalition government after Britain witnessed its first hung parliament in 30 years following a tightly fought general election on May 6.
It targets 31 key areas including banking, Britain's relationship with Europe, defence, the environment, tax, welfare and schools.
New laws for many of the plans will be set out on Tuesday when the Queen makes her annual speech to parliament.
However, some will be have to undergo lengthy examination by various commissions before they can receive the final go-ahead and become law.
Plan to split up banks
Among those to be scrutinised are the coalition's pledge to split the consumer arms of retail banks from their more risky investment businesses.
Another commission will be set up to investigate the creation of a British Bill of Rights to replace Britain's Human Rights Act.
Meanwhile, pensioners will receive a boost in their benefits while those on unemployment or incapacity benefits will have to prove they are not able to work or risk losing their government payouts.
On the economy, the coalition confirmed that reducing Britain's £163 billion (AU$277.78 billion) deficit mainly by slashing spending instead of increasing taxes.
And it will carry out its pledge to hold a referendum on reforming Britain's first-past-the-post voting system.
Both Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg admitted compromises had to be made by both sides before the reform agenda outlined was finalised.
'Stable, decisive government'
"Some policies have been lost on both sides, some have been changed and yes, we have had to find ways to deal with the issues where we profoundly disagree," Mr Cameron said.
"This coalition, I believe, has the potential to be a great reforming government.
"But above all united in the purpose of bringing strong, stable, decisive government to our country."
Mr Clegg said freedom, fairness and responsibility were at the heart of the government's policies, which aimed to disperse power to the people, reduce the size of the state and "make life better".
"This is a program for fundamental and comprehensive reform that will transform our country for the better." he said.
"From now on we get down to work."
