Gordon Brown has apologised for the loss of personal data at HM Revenue and Customs and pledged to do "everything in our power" to improve procedures across Whitehall.

Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, the prime minister promised to take "every possible step to ensure the protection of data... not only in HMRC, but across government".

He said: "I profoundly regret and apologise" for the civil service blunder which emerged this week when the chancellor revealed that data on 25 million child benefit claimants went missing, and the "inconvenience" caused to families.

Brown said there was "no excuse for not following proper procedure" and outlined to MPs measures that have been put in place to protect against any potential fraud.

Bank accounts are being checked for fraudulent activities to ensure that there are "no losses suffered by anybody who has child benefit" he said.

However he reported that there is "no evidence of fraudulent activity taking place".

The prime minister added that the chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers is to review security measures at HMRC.

And he announced that the cabinet secretary and security experts have been asked to "ensure that all departments and all agencies check their procedures".

He also said that "we will give the information commissioner the power to spot-check departments".