Britain's judges will set minimum terms for murderers under a new sentencing framework to be approved by parliament, David Blunkett revealed yesterday.

"These principles will set out that for the most serious crimes such as the sexual, sadistic murder of children, life should mean life," he said.

The home secretary was speaking after law lords ruled that his powers to set tariffs for adult murderers in England and Wales were incompatible with human rights legislation.

Press alarm bells have rung following the ruling and the possibility that up to 70 murderers could be entitled to immediate release and more than 200 may have jail terms cut.

From next year, the minimum term a murderer serves will be set by the trial judge in open court rather than by the home secretary in private. The attorney general will then be able to appeal - again in court - sentences that are considered too lenient.