Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of trying to "meddle" in Westminster politics by demanding the Government spends more cash on hospitals south of the Border.

The Scottish National Party’s manifesto, which was published yesterday, included a pledge to boost the health budget in Scotland by up to an extra £1 billion, despite health spending being devolved to Edinburgh.

Ms Sturgeon, the SNP leader, said that her demand for a rise in health spending would – if accepted by the UK Government – mean a 7 per cent rise in NHS spending in England.

Unveiling the plans, Ms Sturgeon said: “We already have a pledge to increase the NHS budget by £2 billion by the end of this Scottish Parliament.

“But our alternative plan for the public finances would allow a further increase in frontline health spending across the UK. “SNP MPs will call on the new UK government to increase health spending per head of population in England to the current Scottish level, which is 7 per cent higher.