Mr Blunkett said in a statement released at Westminster: "There is great public concern at the criminal law's lack of success in convicting companies of manslaughter where a death has occurred due to gross negligence by the organisation as a whole.

"The law needs to be clear and effective in order to secure public confidence and must bite properly on large corporations whose failure to set or maintain standards causes a death.

"It is not targeted at conscientious companies that take their health and safety responsibilities seriously."