The Data Protection Act 1998 already allows for heavy fines for businesses and organisations that deliberately trade in or abuse personal data that they hold about individuals, but it appears this hasn't been enough to stop offenders.

The Act is now being amended to allow courts to impose six-month jail sentences, with a two-year sentence available for the most serious cases.

Constitutional Affairs Minister Lord Falconer told Contractor UK:

"People have a right to have their privacy protected from those who would deliberately misuse it and I believe the introduction of custodial penalties will be an effective deterrent to those who seek to procure or wilfully abuse personal data."