Britain's social attitudes have become more liberal over the last 25 years with greater tolerance of homosexuality and co-habitation, according to a new British Social Attitudes survey.

Interviewed by presenter John Humphrys, the former editor of the Sun newspaper, Kelvin Mackenzie, said that changes to the law on homophobia have made a difference, not pressure from the tabloid readers, adding that the papers "couldn't give a damn" about the issue of homosexuality.

But the Labour MEP Michael Cashman, a well-known gay rights campaigner and a former EastEnders actor, told the Today programme that people "that shouldn't get too comfortable" with the current situation. He said that politicians had had the courage to legislate before public attitudes had changed but warned that newly-won rights "can be taken away".