the debate about NHS funding will ineitably take a new twist. Oxfordshire gets far less NHS money than more deprived areas – that’s because we’re quite healthy, they say.

But to keep chucking money at areas where people are putting their own health at risk poses a real danger to future of the NHS. The more people smoke, binge drink and eat junk food, the more they will need treatment and put the NHS on a financial train to nowhere. More incentives, laws and education are needed. Perhaps the Government should tackle the food industry to ease the pressure on Britain’s most cherished public service.