Number 10 has sought to end pre-Budget lobbying in the press by cabinet ministers.

The official spokesman said the prime minister would no longer be drawn into pre-Budget debate and was now "in purdah".

Downing Street has brought back a practice of ending any discussion on budget matters before the day - something abandoned by Kenneth Clark when he was chancellor.

The decision followed press interviews by David Blunkett and other senior cabinet ministers where they warned their departments had key problems that would require extra resources from the Treasury.

Blunkett highlighted the need for better funding of the fight against street crime and violent disorder, and it has been revealed that the Ministry of Defence has already dipped into next year's funds to fight the war in Afghanistan.

The official spokesman admitted that it was impossible to stop ministers speaking out in the media, and said it was a traditional way of exerting pressure on the Treasury in the run up to budget day.

"I don't think it is unusual to see stories appearing in the media at this time of year about public spending," he said.

He revealed there had been a "constructive and purposeful" 20-minute discussion at Thursday's cabinet about the priorities for public spending.

Downing Street also denied that the prime minister had been shut out of chancellor Gordon Brown's decision-making.

"The prime minister and chancellor work very closely together on these issues," said the spokesman.