Policy Announcements, Tuesday 24 April

Government  

• Tony Blair has warned that terrorism continues to be a "global" threat and needs to be fought whether it is in "Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else". He said his view was "not popular", but the "large part of the Western world" which blamed George Bush was wrong. "This is a very deep-rooted problem right round the world... if we don't fight it it's going to come after us," the prime minister told the BBC. He spoke before he and other ministers were briefed by the new head of MI5. Jonathan Evans delivered his briefing at the first meeting of the new committee on security and terrorism, which brings together intelligence agency representatives, police and Whitehall officials and ministers. It is intended to streamline the approach to security threats.  

Scotland  

• Alex Salmond has announced he is prepared to compromise on the nature and timing of a referendum on independence. The SNP leader said he was prepared to do a deal with the Liberal Democrats on a vote on independence if the parties gain enough seats in May's elections to form a new executive. The Lib Dems want to give Holyrood more control but have refused to form a government with the SNP if it insists on a referendum, saying this would be bad for the economy. Until now, Salmond has put a vote on whether Scotland should leave the UK at the heart of his policies. But his proposals would put a range of options on the ballot paper - including a choice for greater devolved powers.  

Other  

• Opponents of plans to exempt some of the work that MPs do from freedom of information laws have vowed to again "talk out" the backbench bill when it is debated again in the Commons on Friday. Former Conservative chief whip David Maclean's Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill ran out of time due to the filibuster tactics last week and was considered to then have almost no chance of becoming law. But due to an unusual occurrence the six bills above it in the Parliamentary pecking are not ready so it will be debated again. Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, who led opposition in the Commons, has said the bill is an "insidious" attempt at censorship and that the government is giving it tacit backing.