This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6035861.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brown urges terror 'step change' Brown urges terror 'step change'
(about 5 hours later)
Chancellor Gordon Brown is to call for a "step change" in efforts to cut off funding to terrorist groups.Chancellor Gordon Brown is to call for a "step change" in efforts to cut off funding to terrorist groups.
The Treasury must use undercover intelligence material to freeze suspects' assets, he will say. He will outline plans that could allow the government to use covert intelligence to freeze suspects' assets for the first time.
This would extend the current regime, where only so-called "open-source" material can be utilised. In a speech on security issues, he will say that spending on anti-terror policies is a priority.
Treasury minister Ed Balls will set out powers to monitor and control terror suspects' access to funds to ensure they cannot be "misused". The address will be seen as a further attempt by Mr Brown to bolster his leadership credentials.
'Accounting' Terror plots
However, Mr Balls, one of the chancellor's closest political allies, will outline proposals for more parliamentary scrutiny of the Treasury's asset-freezing regime. Mr Brown, who is widely tipped as a successor to Tony Blair, is set to outline new powers that will involve controlling terror suspects' access to benefits to ensure they cannot be "misused".
Mr Brown will use his speech on Tuesday to emphasise the role of forensic accounting in tackling terror. Economic secretary to the Treasury Ed Balls, the chancellor's closest political ally, is also set to brief MPs on the proposals later on Tuesday.
He will compare the impact of such investigations to that of finger printing in the late 19th century and DNA in the late 20th century. We've actually played a part in disrupting four different suspected terrorist plots Ed BallsEconomic Secretary
He says the scheme is already working well for the government.
"We have actually acted over this year to freeze 188 different accounts," he told BBC News 24.
"We've frozen around £500,000 in terrorist assets. We've actually played a part in disrupting four different suspected terrorist plots."
Mr Brown will use his speech to emphasise the role of forensic accounting in tackling terror.
He will compare the impact of such investigations to that of finger printing in the late 19th Century and DNA in the late 20th Century.
Troops tax cut
Mr Brown will reiterate his support for the government's policy of extending police powers to detain terror suspects for more than 28 days without charge.Mr Brown will reiterate his support for the government's policy of extending police powers to detain terror suspects for more than 28 days without charge.
Troops tax cut?
Ministers were defeated over plans to increase the limit to 90 days, outlined in the Terrorism Bill.Ministers were defeated over plans to increase the limit to 90 days, outlined in the Terrorism Bill.
The government said this amount of time was needed to carry out complex investigations, but critics argued this would be excessive.The government said this amount of time was needed to carry out complex investigations, but critics argued this would be excessive.
BBC political correspondent Jo Coburn says the chancellor is under pressure to cut the tax of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr Brown is also likely to make reference to an announcement set to be made later by Defence Secretary Des Browne that troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq will get a cash bonus to pay off their tax bill.
Our correspondent says there is a media campaign already under way to ensure troops serving on the front line in Iraq and Afghanistan are exempt from paying income tax, like their US counterparts.