The key measures in Theresa May's Investigatory Powers Bill

The draft Investigatory Powers Bill - which will overhaul how police and the intelligence agencies access communications - has been unveiled.

Internet firms will have to keep details of people's web history for up to a year under the proposed new surveillance laws announced by the Home Secretary.

Here are they key proposals in Theresa May's announcement.

The key measures

  • Internet companies will have to hold people's web and social media use data for up to a year - although this won't include their full browsing history or content of their communication

  • Communications firms will be legally required to help government agencies access data on suspects' smartphones and computers

  • Agencies will be allowed to interfere with electronic equipment to get information from a device

  • Around seven judges will be appointed as judicial commissioners for authorising more intrusive capabilities, such as when agencies see the content of communications and collect bulk data - they will also have the power to veto warrants signed by senior ministers

  • A new Investigatory Powers Commissioner will be appointed to hold security services and police to account

Isn't this just another 'snooper's charter'?

Theresa May insists it isn't.

She said it was a departure from the heavily criticised "snooper's charter" blocked by the Liberal Democrats during the coalition government in 2013.

The new Bill, she said, allowed the security services' "licence to operate".

Because current legislation is quite patchy and complicated, with different laws covered by different powers the Government wants to bring the powers under one legal umbrella.

What did the Home Secretary have to say?

She said it was a "decisive moment" and that that the system would be "one of the strongest systems in the world."

And Labour's response?

Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham said that Theresa May had broadly got the balance right in the new bill and emphasised that current UK laws were outdated.

What do the critics say about this bill?

Conservative MP David Davis does not think that the concessions in the bill on interception warrants go far enough.

Whistleblower Edward Snowden described the data covered by the bill as "the activity log of your life".

Human rights group Liberty criticised the bill and called for MPs to force ministers to make changes.

So would the new law mean MPs could be spied on too?

The proposed legislation will govern the surveillance powers of the police and intelligence agencies. Credit: PA Wire

Yes - although the Prime Minister would have to be consulted first.

The new laws would give additional safeguards to protect the sensitive communications of MPs, as well as other politicians such as peers and MEPs.

And what about journalists - will police be able to access their data?

Yes - although police would have to get the authorisation of a judge in order to access journalistic sources.

The Home Secretary made it clear that journalists' sources would not be identified before this warrant was obtained, unless the matter was too urgent to get permission from a judge.

In this case, the Secretary of State would sign the warrant.