Senior Tory lets slip plan to cut public spending by 10 per cent

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The shadow health secretary stressed that departments would have cuts of 10 per cent in Tory efforts to balance the books if they win the next general election.

Speaking on BBC radio, he emphasised that the NHS, schools and international development would be spared the axe.

"We are going to increase the resources for the NHS, we are going to increase resources for international development aid, we are going to increase resources for schools," he said.

"But that does mean over three years after 2011, a 10 per cent reduction in the departmental expenditure limits for other departments."

He admitted it would be "very tough" and, stressing that the NHS would get more funding, he said: "Unfortunately, what this means is there is going to have to be very powerful spending constraint elsewhere across Government."

Labour MPs immediately seized on Mr Lansley's comments to demand the Tories say what services they are planning to chop.

Former minister John Spellar said: "Andrew Lansley has let the cat out of the bag. Their spokesmen in transport, defence and most other departments have to come clean on what Tory policies would mean for frontline services and where the axe will fall."

Shadow Chancellor George Osborne's office insisted Mr Lansley was talking about Labour's spending plans not the Conservative economic blueprint.

Mr Lansley was on the radio after the NHS Confederation, which represents 90 per cent of health service organisations, had warned of job cuts because of a £15 billion funding shortfall.

Mr Osborne's spokesman said: "Andrew Lansley was reinforcing what the NHS Confederation were saying: that Labour are trying to deceive people by saying they can avoid cuts.

"If cuts in health are to be avoided, Labour plans to cut other spending by 10 per cent."

Health Secretary Andy Burnham seized on Mr Lansley's remarks: "He was saying they would spend more on health but he also indicated there would be drastic cuts."