A draft bill on "corporate killing" is expected later this year.

New Home Office minister, Keith Bradley, confirmed that reforms to enable the prosecution of companies and directors would go on the statute books within 18 months.

The new offence of corporate killing is expected to be combined with wider reform on the law on involuntary manslaughter.

"Our aim is to make the law more effective in making both private individuals and undertakings responsible for their actions. Unless there are overwhelming reasons against doing so, it is reasonable to expect a large undertaking to be no less liable to prosecution for manslaughter than a private individual or a sole trader," he said.