Ananova:

The Government's e-commerce minister Patricia Hewitt has announced rules to allow companies "routine access" to their employees' e-mails.

According to the new draft regulations, firms will no longer have to obtain the agreement of staff before embarking on in-house cyber surveillance.

Ms Hewitt says the move recognises the fact that there is a need to marry the legitimate needs of businesses with employees' rights.

"These draft regulations need to strike the right balance between protecting the privacy of individuals and enabling industry and business to get the maximum benefit from new communications technology," she said.

The new powers, which come under the controversial Regulations of Investigatory Powers (RIP) Act and follow a programme of consultation with business leaders instituted by the DTI, will come into force on October 24.