The Conservatives have claimed that figures "buried" in the Budget show the government plans to cut £3.2bn from NHS spending over three years.

Speaking during health questions in the Commons, shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said chancellor Alistair Darling had not mentioned the health service in the spending plans announced last Wednesday.

"But in the Red Book the future provision for NHS expenditure over the next three years was cut by £3.2bn," he said.

Health secretary Alan Johnson replied to the question, insisting that spending would continue to rise.

"What the chancellor was able to report was record levels of investment in the health service, rising to £110bn at the end of this comprehensive review spending period," he said.

"I am fascinated to learn you are going to put another £28bn into the NHS as well as the £10bn of tax cuts you are already committed to."