The government announced a crackdown today on sex offenders in the workplace, including proposals to fine companies up to ?5,000 if they hire an adult who has not been properly vetted to work with children.

Parents will be able to use a new online database to see whether nannies and home tutors have been cleared or barred by the tighter rules, and the threat of a five-year jail term will also be extended to a wider range of bosses, including those running internet chatrooms.