More than 1.85million people were waiting longer than 18 weeks for routine hospital treatment in England in June — the highest number since records began in 2007.

Data from NHS England shows the number of people waiting more than 52 weeks to start hospital treatment in England also rose to 50,536. It is the biggest year-long waiting list since February 2009. By contrast, only 1,089 had been waiting 12 months for treatment last June.

Figures released today also revealed the number of patients admitted for routine treatment in hospitals in England was down 67 per cent in June compared to a year ago.