Brown’s aides had hoped that his week-end shifts outside the Arab National Bank would raise enough money to keep the country afloat.

However, research presented to senior party figures last week showed that the intended collection was not enough.

Although Brown’s inner circle is sceptical about going out on the streets themselves, fearing it would look opportunistic, some aides believe that every cabinet member must take at least one shift begging every weekend.

A spokesman for the Labour party denied that Gordon Brown was begging outside the Arab National Bank and said “It must be a look-alike.”