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Jeremy Hunt was today forced to admit that reports the NHS could get an extra £4billion a year were “premature”.

The Health Secretary confirmed there will be no extra cash for the health service and instead hinted cuts could be made to clamp down on wasteful spending.

He told ITV’s Peston on Sunday programme: “I want to know that every pound is spent wisely.”

Mr Hunt also said the possibility of a tax earmarked for the NHS would be popular with voters – if they were convinced there would be reform.

The Sunday Times reported that PM Theresa May will announce a £4billion funding increase in July when the NHS will be 70 years old.

(Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: PA)

But Mr Hunt said that this was “premature” and that a new spending strategy was needed to cope with the UK’s ageing population.

He said: “NHS staff need to have some hope for the future, but their real concern is this rather crazy way that we have been funding the NHS over the last 20 years – which has basically been feast or famine.

“The public are very clear that they would like to see more money going to the NHS, they would be prepared to see some of their own taxes going into the NHS, but they want to know that money is actually going into the NHS and social care.

“That the NHS is going to reform, tackle inefficiencies.”

He also refused to deny claims that he asked Somali-born Nimco Ali, who campaigns against female genital mutilation, “can girls like you have an orgasm?”, telling a newspaper: “All I’ll say is she’s an amazing lady.”