Blunkett acts tough with crackdown on sex offenders and drug dealers

David Blunkett, the new Home Secretary, signalled yesterday that a crackdown on paedophiles, a reform of the immigration system and a blitz on drugs would be his priorities for Labour's second term in office.

He signalled the Government's willingness to consider publishing sex offenders' criminal records, saying that moves to allow "controlled access" to criminal records would be part of a wide ranging review of policies to protect children.

Mr Blunkett also pointed to reform of the immigration system, to allow people from abroad to fill skills shortages under an American-style Green Card system. But he also promised a blitz on illegal asylum-seekers and an assault on "gangmasters" who trade in illegal immigrants.

Writing in a Sunday newspaper, Mr Blunkett renewed Labour's manifesto pledges to crack down on paedophiles who use the internet and e-mails to "groom" victims. Mr Blunkett said: "I will be looking very hard to see what more could be done to protect our children. As part of that exercise, I will look at all the proposals put forward, including the possibility of controlled access of information about sex offenders."

Mr Blunkett's comments, made in an article for the News of the World, demonstrate the Government's determination to start its second term with a tough stance on crime. He has been anxious to hit the ground running, spending part of the election campaign being briefed on his move to the Home Office, for months one of Whitehall's worst-kept secrets.

Mr Blunkett also promised a tough stance on drugs, but insisted the Government needed the help of local communities to tackle "the biggest scourge of the modern era". Responsibility for the battle against drugs was also given to the Home Office in the post-election shake-up. He said: "All of us who represent the most disadvantaged parts of our community know that the job of police and community safety is being bedevilled not just by drug pushers but the traffickers behind them."

A Home Office spokeswoman said the measures would lead to a growth in the numbers of legal immigrants and reduce the lure of illegal immigration. She said there would be a limit on numbers, and pointed to the Green Card system in the US as a possible model. Responsibility for work permits was moved to the Home Office from the Department for Education and Employment.