Downing Street has sung the praises of Gordon Brown in a bid to quell speculation about a serious rift between the prime minister and his chancellor.

Speaking on Monday, the prime minister's spokesman said: "He [Brown] is recognised as one of the finest finance ministers anywhere in the world - and quite right too."

Members of the Commons Treasury select committee will quiz the chancellor when he appears to give evidence on his budget forecasts.

Michael Fallon, a Tory member of the committee, said yesterday: "I shall certainly be pressing him on whether he agrees with the prime minister that tax credits will be a diversion from extra spending on schools and hospitals. This is a new tension between Downing Street and the Treasury which we haven't seen before."