He will also propose making 24/7 a national day for celebrating volunteering and "social change" as part of a raft of measures to boost and recognise the sector.

Mr Brown will set out his plans in a speech to coincide with the publication of his new book on "Britain's Ordinary Heroes".

Downing Street said the Prime Minister was keen to reform the way honours were given out to "shift the balance in favour of ordinary people".

A spokeswoman said Mr Brown thought they were "as deserving and should get a greater percentage" and would seek nominations from local communities of worthy winners.

Despite no charges resulting from the cash-for-honours inquiry, there is a widespread belief at Westminster that claims peerages were sold has badly tarnished the system's reputation.

The date of Tuesday's announcements - and the possible future national 24/7 day - was picked to represent the round-the-clock, out-of-hours work done by volunteers, carers and others.

It would be "a day in which the Government and country will celebrate all those working for social change", Number 10 said.

But it was too early to say whether it could be made an extra bank holiday.