Clegg puts £8bn NHS cash at heart of future coalition deal

Mr Clegg said any coalition in which the Lib Dems took part would commit to the increase, based in part on capping pensions tax relief for the wealthiest .

The £8bn cash promise was made as the NHS chief executive Simon Stevens predicted a public backlash if funding for health services is not increased.

Mr Clegg said: “We’re going to do that because we strike the right balance acting responsibly on dealing with our debts and our deficit but not cutting excessively.

“The Conservatives would cut too much - that’s why they can’t support the NHS and the Labour Party would borrow too much, that’s why they can’t.

“We are setting out today a plan about how we can meet that funding gap that has been independently identified as necessary to make sure that our NHS is protected, cherished and supported now and long into the future.”

Mr Clegg’s comments came as Labour leader Ed Miliband insisted the Lib Dem leader’s Sheffield seat was far from safe.

Asked by an activist whether he would join the campaign to boot out Mr Clegg, Mr Miliband said: “Sheffield is very close to Doncaster where I’m an MP so I’m sure I can find time to come and visit.”

Mr Clegg defended his record as a “hard-working constituency MP, knocking on doors”.