Major changes to surveillance laws are to give the Government the power to monitor email exchanges and website visits of every person in the UK. The new legislation is expected to be announced in the Queen's Speech next month, despite similar 'Big Brother'-style laws being rejected six years ago.
Internet companies will be instructed to install hardware enabling GCHQ - the Government's electronic 'listening' agency - to examine 'on demand' any phone call made, text message and email sent, and website accessed in 'real time'.
Civil liberties campaigners expressed fears that this 'unprecedented' move will intrude on the lives of British citizens, with the measures being compared to strict controls currently exercised in China and Iran. In 2006, Labour was forced to abandon similar plans in the face of fierce opposition from Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and privacy groups.
But now, the Sunday Times reports, the Home Office has confirmed coalition ministers intend to revive the move towards greater surveillance 'as soon as parliamentary time allows'.