Jeremy Clarkson has claimed that it’s time for a “complete rethink” when it comes to the National Health Service ahead of Labour’s 2025 Budget.

With taxes tipped to rise once again and with Rachel Reeves warning of tough decisions to make, all eyes will be on the famous red briefcase come November 26.

Business taxes, pension changes, Isa reform, property taxes, changes to VAT, and income tax could all play a part in Ms Reeves’s plans.

However, Mr Clarkson feels one area the government should focus much more of its attention on in an attempt to generate some cash is the NHS.

Mr Clarkson began his thought process in his latest column in the Sunday Times by reminiscing about the introduction of tanning beds in the United Kingdom in the 1980s.

After explaining the abundance of reasons why he never developed a fondness for the machines, he conceded that, as a “libertarian”, he had no issue with others using them excessively.

“However, we don’t live in libertarian times, and now there are calls to ban tanning salons immediately. No compensation for the business owners. No alternatives for the fans. Just a ban,” he wrote.

Mr Clarkson continued by musing that a blanket ban would, in theory, save the NHS millions due to the machines’ impact on skin cancer cases.

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He proceeded to reference wood-burning stoves as another example of a machine that, if banned, could hypothetically save the NHS money. The same goes for making everyone eat “a diet of kidney beans and lentils”.

“We see this logic everywhere… They’ve even brought immigration into the mix, saying it’s vital that those small boats keep arriving on the beaches every day because they are bringing people who’ll work in hospitals for minimum wage. Which will save the NHS a fortune,” he added.

The Clarkson’s Farm star pointed out a flaw in the latter point, however, noting how Health Secretary Wes Streeting recently ordered an urgent review after it was discovered some overseas medics working in the NHS had been deemed unfit to practice medicine in other countries.

Convictions, misconduct, or incompetence are just a handful of reasons behind the findings.

The point Mr Clarkson eventually came to is that “now the scandal has been exposed, that’ll have to change” and it will “cost the NHS a fortune”, meaning potential tax rises when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces her Budget in a matter of weeks.

The former Top Gear star is no stranger to taking aim at Ms Reeves and the Labour government’s policies as a whole, particularly the changes to inheritance tax for farmers.

Eventually, Mr Clarkson concluded: “Today, the population is 70 million and every single one of us wants new eyes and to live forever. And that’s impossible.

“Even our chins and toffs have enough intelligence to work out when it’s time to sell the baronial hall. They would like to preserve the history, of course, but they know it’s just not financially viable anymore.

“And yet, somehow, no one ever applies this logic to the NHS.

“So instead of a complete rethink, more money is demanded from us, and we are banned from being tanned and happy and warm to try to keep the creaking old monster going.”

Reform of the NHS has been high on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s to-do list ever since he took residence in Downing Street.

Back in July, he laid out his 10-year plan to reform the NHS in England, publishing a 162-page document predicated on a shift from hospitals to neighbourhood health hubs, a new focus on prevention, and better use of technology.

During the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool last week, for instance, Health Secretary Mr Streeting appeared on numerous television outlets lauding the implementation of digital appointments.

The new requirement, which took effect at the start of the month, mandates that surgeries offer online booking between 8am and 6:30pm on weekdays.

However, this particular measure hasn’t been without its critics. The British Medical Association expressed apprehension about the rollout, warning of a “potential online triage tsunami” that could overwhelm practices.

For now, Mr Clarkson, like the rest of the nation, will have to wait until the end of November to see what lies ahead for the wallets of the public.