'Cash may runout' warning

Yorkshire Trust and North Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust. Nationally the NHS ran more than 500m into the red, prompting trusts to cut services to balance the books.

Business leaders – who back the need for tough action to reduce the 156bn deficit – warn against going too far.

Nick Pontone, policy director of Yorkshire and Humber Chambers of Commerce, said: “Cuts should be significant but not indiscriminate and there must a ‘golden thread’ running through each individual decision which prioritises spending which ultimately boosts long term economic growth and the most essential public services.”