GEORGE Osborne has told his Cabinet colleagues the "clock is ticking" for them to agree cuts to departmental budgets and failure to do so could result in the imposition of additional reductions by his so-called star chamber.

The Chancellor's challenge came at yesterday's Cabinet meeting: No 10 said no minister raised any note of objection.

A Downing Street spokesman explained that, in addition to the seven departments which had already agreed to budget cuts of up to 10% for the year 2015/16, "several other departments are in the final stages" of agreeing spend-ing settlements with the Treasury by the June 26 deadline.

Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said yesterday's Cabinet meeting was "an opportunity for the Chancellor and Chief Secretary, Danny Alexander, to explain where things are and the fact we are ahead of where we expected to be, and a reminder – if one were needed – that for those departments that haven't settled, the clock is ticking".

The National Health Service and schools in England, as well as inter-national aid, have been ringfenced from the cuts and Mr Osborne has made clear he is not looking to cut the welfare budget further.

Mr Cameron's spokesman insisted there was "complete agreement around the table about the Government's deficit reduction approach and objectives".