Senior ministers yesterday backed claims by prime minister Tony Blair that taxes would have to rise to improve the national health service.

Speaking at a conference of NHS trusts, health secretary Alan Milburn said: "As the prime minister said, if we want sustained investment in the NHS then we will need to pay for it."

The increases are expected to come in the form of National Insurance. The Independent reports that an increase in NI contributions of £4 billion could be earmarked for the NHS in the forthcoming budget.