Government plans major boost to counter-terrorism strategy

The government is to announce plans to substantially step-up its efforts to deal with the threat from IS.

An additional 1,900 extra security and intelligence staff will be recruited to work at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ - an increase of 15 percent from the current number of 12,700.

There will also be at least a doubling of funding for aviation security, which currently stands at around £9 million per year.

ITV News Political Correspondent Libby Wiener explains:

The prime minister wants to boost resources because of the increasing number of Islamist terrorist plots against Britain, and following the attacks in other countries such as France and Tunisia.

A plane crash in Egypt's Sinai is thought to have been caused by IS. Credit: Balkis Press/ABACA

The prime minister has ordered a rapid review of security at certain airports across the globe in light of the plane tragedy in Egypt's Sinai region.

The incident is thought to have been caused by a bomb on board and possibly linked to IS.

Aviation specialists will conduct assessments during the next two months, concentrating on the Middle East and North Africa and airports where high numbers of British citizens pass through.

There will be a focus on increasing security at airports around the world. Credit: Reuters

The new funding for aviation security would provide:

  • Additional aviation security experts to give frequent assessments of security at airports around the world

  • More advice, training and equipment for other countries to increase security at airports in vulnerable countries

  • Increased research into screening technology and to detect new threats

Ministers are expected to endorse the proposal, already backed by David Cameron, to more than double government spending on aviation security over this Parliament.

The plans will be unveiled in the government's five year defence and security review.