The home secretary has offered prison officers the right to strike in a bid to accelerate reform of working practices.

David Blunkett is under pressure to reform the prison system after winning an extra £174 million in the Budget.

Blunkett told the association's annual conference in Southport that its 33,500 members must follow other parts of the public sector and reform working practices.

The association, like many sections of the public services facing change, is a vocal opponent of the increasing use of privately managed prisons.

The Treasury agreed to fund 1000 new prison places, including 80 in new intermittent custody centres, but the price for the expansion is the increasing use of private services and units run by security firms.

The home secretary has made no secret of his belief that prison officers work in one of "the most unreconstructed sectors" of government.

Blunkett also knows co-operation from the prison service will be vital if his tough sentencing policy is to work.

Longer tariffs, including an increase in the number inmates serving life without parole, means the UK's prison population is set to rise from the current level of around 72,000.

Blunkett offered to end the ban on industrial action and replace annual salary awards with a three-year pay deal linked to changes in working practices.

"The voluntary agreement is working well and has been viewed as a success from both sides. In resolving disputes it is no longer necessary to have a legal ban on strike action," he said.

"I want to put on record my thanks to prison officers throughout the country for the extremely good job that they do, in demanding circumstances.

"Prison officers have a key role to play in helping to reduce re-offending and protecting the public."