David Blunkett has put child protection and rape reform at the heart of new laws geared to the social and sexual attitudes of 21st century Britain.

The home secretary published a new Sex Offences Bill which sets out tough measures on contemporary concerns over child abuse and date rape but will repeal out-dated laws governing adult consensual sex.

"Our current laws on sex offences are not only archaic, they are discriminatory," said Blunkett.

"Criminalising acts between homosexuals that are not against the law for heterosexuals goes against the principle of equality and previous reforms."

"We will therefore update the law to ensure equality of treatment. Consensual sex in private that does not harm anyone should no longer be a criminal offence."

Reforms to rape law will shift the burden of proof to those accused of the offence.

A new offence of "sexual grooming" will cover not only internet chatroom predators but other abusers seeking to lure children.