The row over using surveillance information to spy on people has intensified after its was revealed that 1,400 requests to snoop on the public were made every day last year.
Councils, police and the intelligence services asked more than 500,000 times for approval to access private email and phone data.
Each one allows public authorities access to communications data - which includes records of phone, email and text messages - but not their content.
The Home office says the new figures "offer reassurance that the powers are being used appropriately".
