David Blunkett is set to back down on assurances that sweeping post-September 11 data surveillance powers will be restricted to the fight against terrorism.

The Guardian reports that access to the communications records of every UK telephone and internet user will be given to law enforcement agencies as a matter of routine - including for minor crimes, tax collection and public safety purposes.

The report follows a Tribune article by the home secretary on October 26 where he appeared to limit measures "strictly in the case of a criminal investigation against suspected terrorists".