Broadband users who consistently download copyrighted material will not be disconnected by their internet service provider (ISP), it has been suggested.

Speaking at a conference in Birmingham, secretary of state for culture Andy Burnham said that cutting off users was not Whitehall's "preferred option", the BBC reported.

However, the upcoming Digital Britain report could contain new powers for telecoms regulator Ofcom to impose some technical limitations on consumers.

A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport told the news provider: "The Digital Britain report coming out soon will build on last year's Memorandum of Understanding between content holders and ISPs to tackle illegal file sharing."

He added that the consultation was also likely to feature "an obligation" for broadband providers to send letters to users who download copyrighted content.

Under Lord Carter's Digital Britain proposals, the entire UK population will have access to broadband speeds of at least 2Mb within three years.