The government was facing renewed criticism over its mishandling of potentially sensitive data after it emerged that a computer had been stolen from the constituency office of Hazel Blears, the communities secretary.

The computer, containing some restricted information and a "confidential" presentation on the housing market, was stolen on Saturday from her office in Salford. Her department said the computer did not contain top secret information or sensitive personal data on members of the public, or of a nature that might be of use to criminals. The office had a security upgrade five years ago when Ms Blears became a Home Office minister with responsibility for counter-terrorism.