According to the Sunday Times, if Home Secretary David Blunkett gets his way, speeding tickets and parking fines could carry a 35 pound surcharge in future to pay for compensation for victims of crime.

In a leaked letter to Cabinet colleagues, Mr Blunkett is said to have argued that the extra cost would increase the coffers of the criminal injuries compensation scheme.

The 35 pound surcharge could also find be applied to criminal offences, the Sunday Times reported.

Mr Blunkett contends the levy would be politically wise as it would “send out a clear message of placing the victim at the heart of the criminal justice system.”

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “We are carrying out a review of the criminal injuries compensation scheme which we have already announced, but this is a leaked document and we are not prepared to comment on it at this stage.”