HEALTH SECRETARY Jeremy Hunt claimed that he had “scrapped” the pay cap for NHS workers yesterday, but Labour were left seeking assurances over whether it would be funded by further cuts.

Labour’s new shadow disabilities minster Marsha de Cordova had urged Mr Hunt to lift the 1 per cent cap on health workers’ pay and help the “chronically understaffed” NHS during questions in the Commons.

Mr Hunt replied: “I can give you good news — the pay cap has been scrapped.”