Ruth Kelly wants a Britain Day - but there's no place for our heritage or flag

But the Communities Secretary insists the idea is not about Britons "standing in their front gardens and saluting the Union Jack".

The New Labour version of the planned public holiday would promote community relations and volunteering, rather than our national heritage.

Her comments led critics to dismiss the plans as a "gimmick".

They also pointed out the scheme was at odds with Gordon Brown's existing promise to put the flag at the heart of any celebration of Britishness.

Miss Kelly weighed into the growing debate about national identity as David Cameron yesterday warned that it was being "deliberately weakened" by the rise of multiculturalism.

Mr Brown has also made his views known, saying that he will make promoting Britishness one of his priorities when he takes over from Tony Blair.

A pamphlet by Miss Kelly and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne published by the Fabian Society today says Britain Day would involve a series of locally- organised events across the country, with individual communities deciding how they mark the occasion.

It calls for "a celebration of our civic values, celebrating local heritage and opportunities to get involved in local civic life".

It also suggests "celebrating and promoting voluntary action in communities across the country", adding:

"Local areas could tailor events and celebrations to their own specific local circumstances, recognising inter-generational links such as celebrating the debt of gratitude to those war veterans who secured the freedom that the citizenship we enjoy today is based on."

Ministers suggested a day in early November for Britain Day, to coincide with the Queen's state opening of Parliament.

Citizenship ceremonies for immigrants would be held on the national day to highlight their commitment to the country, as happens in Australia.

Under the plans to promote Britishness, immigrants would also be denied the automatic right of citizenship - instead they would be forced to "win" the privilege through a points system.

Migrants would be given credits for being "good neighbours", by volunteering, and by gaining qualifications beyond the standard English test.

They would be stripped of points if they broke the law or left the country for long periods.

British teenagers would be given "citizens" packs" when they turned 18 telling, them how to behave as adults.

These would include information on voting in elections, volunteering and jury service, and how to repay the "debt of gratitude" to war veterans.

Any youngsters who showed they were "active citizens" by volunteering could receive extra cash in their Child Trust Funds at 18, or receive a cut in university tuition fees.

The plans, which were not authorised by Mr Brown, were last night greeted with caution by his aides.

One said a points system for immigration could work, but that it should be tougher - refusing citizenship outright to anyone with a criminal record.

But Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: "These are gimmicks that miss the real problem, which is that the Government has been embarrassed about promoting a proper sense of pride in being British and has failed to promote core British values."

The Tories also pointed out the system of migrants being asked to earn points by completing voluntary work could cause chaos in the NHS, which is heavily reliant on staff from overseas.

Doctors and nurses would be forced to take time away from carrying out vital medical work in order to obtain the score needed for a passport.

Party sources added that the plans would do nothing to address the major issue of concern to voters - migrants pouring in from Eastern Europe.

As citizens of the EU, they are entitled to free movement to Britain, and cannot be forced to earn points in return for the right to live here - or take part in any Britishness day.

Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, said: "This is a pointless gesture to appease a country which for the other 364 days of the year is told to feel ashamed of their history and dilute their way of life in the name of multiculturalism.

"What would be better is a country which is allowed to feel proud of itself all the year round."

Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch, added: "The Government are at last realising that there are serious consequences to the mass immigration that they have permitted, indeed encouraged."

Nick Johnson, director of policy and public sector at the Commission for Racial Equality, said: "A new national Britain Day would be an excellent way of recognising the importance of Britishness.

"However, we ought to be embracing this concept 365 days of the year, not just on one day."