Estelle Morris and David Blunkett have joined forces to put pressure on the chancellor for a cash boost in his next spending review.

They have told the prime minister that crime will soar as a result of a reduction in education standards unless they receive a decent allocation in the review.

Reports had suggested that both departments could be squeezed following the NHS cash boost announced in the Budget.

Brown gave a strong hint yesterday that education would be given another huge cash injection in next month's spending announcement.