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Philip Hammond could have boosted the NHS with almost all of the extra funding it requested, had he not given the money away to banks instead.

The Chancellor is handing the health service £2.8billion over the next two years – yet he also went ahead with £4.4billion of cuts in banking taxes.

Together, it would have been only £800million less than the £8billion NHS England boss Simon Stevens has said the service desperately needs.

He is calling for Brexit ­referendum ­promises to spend more on the health service to now be honoured.

(Image: Getty) (Image: PA)

The lack of cash could mean ­rationing for ­prescriptions and routine operations.

Chris Hopson, of NHS Providers, which represents health service managers, said: “It is difficult to see how the NHS can deliver everything.”

In Wednesday’s Budget, Mr Hammond announced an immediate £350million boost to NHS funding to cope with the winter crisis.

(Image: PA)

Another £1.6billion will follow next year for frontline services and £850million in 2019-20.

But Labour analysis found the Chancellor could have found £4.4billion in the same period by stopping cuts to the bank levy – an annual tax on bank debt.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said: “Philip Hammond tried to sneak this out. It’s truly shameful we’re seeing large handouts to banks when there are cuts to the NHS, schools and care services.”