Boost our NHS and armed forces as Britain on track for £11billion Budget boost, Philip Hammond urged

BRITAIN should spend more on the NHS and boosting our armed forces if the public finances turn out to be better than expected, Philip Hammond has been urged.

Ex-No10 chief Nick Timothy said today that the Chancellor should loosen the purse strings in next week's Spring Statement, and announce boosts to vital areas.

He said that if Britain can borrow money cheaply and show the public real change, we should do.

Writing in today he said that "Mr Hammond must declare an end to the Age of Austerity" and invest for the long term.

"The Government has achieved its surplus... It can start to increase spending on public services.

"It can show that the Conservatives are more than just cutters: they have a broader and more ambitious economic mission and a deep sense of social justice."

Mr Timothy - who was forced to quit after Theresa May lost her majority last year, said the party must not delay any more difficult decisions, and should boost NHS and defence spending as soon as possible.

But Brits shouldn't face tax cuts any time soon because the demands of our ageing society are still so great, he argued.

Tory MPs piled in too to put pressure on the Chancellor to act.

Bim Afolami said: “We all know that certain areas of public services do need extra money to accompany necessary reforms and structural improvements — infrastructure spending, the NHS, defence and education in particular.";

Ex-minister Nick Boles added: "I do think he should be planning to increase borrowing to fund more public investment especially in housing, infrastructure and research."

The calls come as it was revealed that Philip Hammond could be on track for an £11billion boost to the public finances next week.

Despite gloomy economic forecasts revealed in last November's Budget, it's now thought that relatively upbeat economic data will give the Treasury a lift.