2:32pm UK, Tuesday June 20, 2006

The Government is to acquire two second-hand passenger jets primarily for the use of the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet, according to Sky News sources.

The Queen will have occasional use of the planes but they will not become part of the Royal fleet.

180 New Zealand: Tony Blair and Cherie arrive

The Blairs on a recent tour of New Zealand

The planes, inevitably being dubbed Blair Force One and Blair Force Two, are thought to be a larger passenger jet a smaller executive jet for shorter flights.

The name probably won't stick, though, as the planes are not due to come into service until the end of 2007, or the beginning of 2008 - at which point Tony Blair is likely to have made way for a new Prime Minister.

The Government is due to officially announce the move next week.

The planes will be on permanent lease and cost around £1.5m more than the current budget of £9.5m.

The Treasury has already announced that no extra money will be set aside for ministerial travel.

The extra cost will be spread across several Government departments including the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defence.

At present Ministers charter aircraft according to need, rather than having their own dedicated planes.

The planes will fitted out with all the security and communications equipment necessary for Government purposes.