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Jeremy Hunt squirmed today as he confirmed the Tories' NHS cash bonanza will come with a very big catch indeed.

Theresa May is formally unveiling the health service's 70th birthday present - £20billion a year in extra real terms funding by 2024.

But the 3.4% rise has unravelled after she refused to say how much taxes will go up to pay for it.

And the PM has been panned for claiming it'll be funded by a 'Brexit dividend' - which experts say does not exist and a Tory MP branded "tosh".

Now Mr Hunt, the Health Secretary, has twice refused to give a straight answer when asked if the cash will definitely arrive.

Instead he admitted NHS chiefs will have to meet "very ambitious" efficiency goals as part of getting the extra funds.

(Image: PA)

Critics may now fear a repeat of the NHS 'five-year forward view', which commanded trusts to find £22billion in savings when it launched in 2014.

Pressed by BBC Breakfast on whether the cash would definitely happen, Mr Hunt said: "We've agreed the outlines of that deal.

"I'm totally confident the NHS will be able to come forward with a [10-year] plan that meets what we need.

"But as Theresa May is going to say today, we're going to have some very ambitious objectives for productivity and efficiency.

"Because if we're going to be putting a lot of extra money into the NHS, taxpayers want to know every pound is being spent wisely."

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Pressed later on whether he'd resign if the cash didn't come, Mr Hunt insisted: "We wouldn’t be making this commitment if it wasn’t something we could honour.

"The money is going to be forthcoming and that’s why the Prime Minister made her commitment and she’s someone who keeps her word."

But he refused to say how much will come from a 'Brexit dividend', after experts and Tory MPs said it doesn't exist.

And he refused to say how much taxes will have to rise to pay for it.

Mr Hunt admitted "the tax burden is going to go up", but said how that happens will only be revealed in the Budget in almost six months' time.

He also said the rise will be funded by economic growth and after Britain stops contributing EU budget payments to Brussels.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

It comes as Theresa May evokes terror attacks and her diabetes as she unveils her £394m a week of NHS cash formally in a speech this lunchtime.

The Prime Minister will say: "It was there for me when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I will never forget the support - not just of my GP and consultants - but also the clinical nurse specialists attached to my local hospital.

"Their advice was critical: enabling me to adjust to the new treatment regime, to manage my condition, and minimise the impact it has on my life. I would not be doing the job I am doing today without that support."

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We need to have confidence in what's being said.

"It's all well and good making an announcement like this and trying to hit the headlines, but to be credible you have to say where the money's coming from. We certainly haven't seen that.

"The speculation about where it's coming from - particularly the 'Brexit dividend' - is just not credible, as far as many commentators are saying. And we still haven't addressed social care."