The government has unveiled sweeping new proposals to reform Britain's sex laws.

David Blunkett said that the Sexual Offences Bill would repeal "antiquated and discriminatory" laws, but would put increased protection for children and the vulnerable at the centre of the new legislative proposals.

"The current law on sex offences is inadequate, antiquated and discriminatory and does not reflect changes in society, social attitudes and what we now know about patterns of abuse, particularly the extent and nature of child abuse," he said.

Under the proposals, sex laws will be neutral in their treatment of homosexual and heterosexual behaviour.