Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said yesterday that persistent illegal file-sharers would have their internet connections suspended, a move that will allow government to combat the illegal downloading of copyrighted material from the internet.

Illegal file-sharing has been posing a threat to the creative industry, which spends millions of pounds on creating music and films.

According to an estimate about 7 million Brits download copyrighted material illegally per year.

Speaking on the topic, Lord Mandelson said, “The Government's view is that taking people's work without due payment is wrong. We cannot sit back and do nothing as this happens.”

However, Lord Mandelson said that technical measures such as cutting internet connections will be used as a last resort.

In case piracy does not come down by 70 per cent by the mid of 2011, media regulator Ofcom will be provide with powers to take technical measures against the illegal file-sharers.

But, the internet providers are warning the government, saying its concerned move will encourage hijacking.