The government is set to face criticism as it attempts to drive through new legislation aimed at tackling terrorism.

As part of a package of measures unveiled on Tuesday, the government will "seek a consensus" on a Counter-Terrorism Bill to give police "the powers they need to protect the public, whilst preserving essential rights and liberties".

There were no details on a specific increase in the length of time police can hold terror suspects without charge from the current 28 days.

However, the government did say that ministers were "considering options in relation to pre-charge detention in terrorist cases".

And Home Office minister Tony McNulty said on Monday the government would "probably" push for 56 days.

In July the prime minister pledged to consult on extending the 28-day limit but insisted "we should not return to the previous [90 day] proposal rejected by the House" and which led to Tony Blair's first Commons defeat in 2005.

The Gordon Brown said that any increase in the period of pre-charge detention would be coupled with parliamentary scrutiny, as well as legal and judicial safeguards.

The legislation - which could introduce post-charge questioning and impose travel bans on convicted terrorists - is likely to prompt criticism from human rights campaigners and Opposition parties.

The Bill also increases custodial sentences for convicted terrorists and would extend police powers to seize their assets.

And it would require offenders to provide the police with personal information following their release from prison.

The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives have said they have not seen enough evidence to prove that plans to extend the detention limit are required.

However, shadow home secretary David Davis said his party "would look at it carefully" if there was enough evidence to support it.

"So far, not only have we not had a shred of evidence to support this, but we have had an admission from the home secretary that there is not one new iota of evidence to support it and that any proposal to extend the term is because 'they can imagine circumstances under which it would be necessary'," Davis said last month.