He also declined to set a numerical target on the policy, insisting that the central bank would not be drawn into 'quantitative easing'.

He wanted legislation last year on reforming the energy market to include a numerical target for the reduction in emissions from power stations to be achieved by 2030.

Their joint statement contained no numerical targets, as developing nations accused the rich countries of not doing enough.

Boots has denied the claims and said that it was always made clear to staff that 'services must be for the benefit of patients not the attainment of numerical targets'.

But it was the introduction of numerical targets for policy that caught the eye of analysts.