Home Secretary David Blunkett and Transport Secretary Alistair Darling are considering the plans, which would see undercover armed police onboard flights.

BBC: Call for anti-terror border force

Many members of the Westminster cabinet were present including the chancellor and his wife Sarah, Home Secretary Jack Straw, Social Security Alastair Darling, Education Secretary David Blunkett, Culture Secretary Chris Smith and Cabinet Office Minister Mo Mowlam.

BBC: A nation says goodbye

But Exchequer Secretary David Gauke pointed out former Chancellor Alistair Darling, according to former Business Secretary Lord Mandelson's memoirs, favoured raising VAT - and challenged him to explain why "so few" Labour MPs voted against an increase in VAT last year.

BBC: Labour calls for temporary VAT cut