2. Funding 90% of the NHS is funded by general taxation. £300 million is from tobacco tax increases

3. Budget The NHS budget for 2004–05 was £69.7 billion, rising to £76.4 billion in 2005–06 and was £92.6 billion in 2007–08. Despite the increased resources, the NHS reported an overall deficit of £251 million (including Foundation Trusts) in 2004–05. In 2005–06, the overall deficit increased to £570 million.

4. In 1999 each household paid on average £1,850 per year towards health spending In 2004 this has increased to £2,800 on average. The NHS is having to make savings of up to £20 billion over the next four years However the BBC states that funding will rise from £10bn to £114bn over the next four years - the equivalent of a 0.1% a year hike in real terms