The NHS deficit was five times worse last year than the Government has admitted, the Conservative Party can now reveal.

New analysis exposes how Gordon Brown has used creative accounting to disguise the true extent of the cash crisis in the National Health Service, and has also introduced new rules to force through cuts in vital frontline services.

Declared Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley: "This startling revelation puts responsibility for the crisis currently engulfing the NHS firmly at the Chancellor's door. We now know that it is his rules that are squeezing £2.7 billion out of the NHS this year and next." 

If this was your business, you would face a massive fine and prison.

Mr Lansley said: "Gordon Brown and Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt clearly lost control of NHS finances in 2005-06 and we now see why cuts this year have been so large. No amount of fiddling of the figures by the Chancellor can disguise these real cuts affecting doctors, nurses and facilities in the NHS.

"And what's more, neither the Chancellor nor the Health Secretary are willing to admit that these cuts will carry on into 2007-08."

Analysis by the Conservatives shows that while the Government claims that last year the Department of Health's deficit was £580 million, the real black hole is closer to £2.7 billion. 

The Chancellor has taken the axe to almost 20,000 jobs in the NHS across the 2006-07 financial year; while 106 community hospitals are under threat; and up to 43 maternity units and 17 Accident and Emergency departments also face cutbacks and closure.

Lies, deceit, fraud and false accounting = illegal, criminal activity
 

This man wants to be Prime Minister. This man wants to run your life. This man wants to steal more of your money. Tell Gordon Brown where to go in the May elections.