Plans to wipe out the NHS backlog have been delayed as a top Tory denied claims of a clash with the Treasury over funding.
NHS England had been expected to publish a blueprint to reduce the record 6 million patients on waiting lists for non-urgent treatment in England after the pandemic.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid insisted the publication of the blueprint had been pushed back due to Omicron surge in December and rejected claims of tensions at the top of Government.
The Treasury reportedly refused to sign off on the proposals amid concerns about value for money, according to the Telegraph.
But a source told the Mirror that the department agreed with the NHS that the plan was not ready.
Mr Javid told Sky News: "We will publish the plan shortly.
"What I would say about the Treasury is that I couldn't wish for a better partner when it comes to the challenges I have. I don't recognise that at all."
"Having been chancellor, having a close relationship with the Treasury, having a strong partnership for any department is crucial and right now for health and care I am just really pleased we have got that really good working relationship."
It comes amid speculation about tensions between No 10 and the Treasury as Boris Johnson battles to save his premiership.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak took a public swipe at the Prime Minister over his use of a discredited slur that Labour leader Keir Starmer failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile when he was director of public prosecutions.
Mr Sunak is seen as one of the frontrunners to succeed Mr Johnson as Tory leader.
The PM is fighting to regain control after the damaging Partygate row - as he tries to survive a police investigation and a probe by top civil servant Sue Gray into rule-breaking gatherings in Downing Street and Whitehall.
He brought in former aide Guto Harri to act as No 10 spin chief and Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay as chief of staff at the weekend after five Downing Street aides dramatically quit last week.
A limited reshuffle is also expected, with embattled Chief Whip Mark Spencer tipped for a move as Mr Johnson seeks to rebuild bridges with his mutinous MPs.
Some 15 Tories have publicly called for Mr Johnson to quit, with widespread speculation on how many have written no-confidence letters to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady.
NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor, who advised Tony Blair, claimed the Treasury was concerned about wasting cash on a "dying administration".
He tweeted: "Increasingly getting the sense that Johnson now faces the same (but more intense and short-term) challenges Tony Blair had in his third term, namely that HMT is loath to agree to any No 10 plans involving money, as the Chancellor sees these as opportunistic and wasted on a dying administration."
Labour's Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "Turns out publication of the NHS recovery plan is another cancelled operation."
Health Committee chairman Jeremy Hunt said: "It is extremely disappointing that we’ve seen this delay to the Government’s elective recovery plan given the urgency of the situation.
"There appears to be an argument about targets which are the last thing the NHS needs: instead they should be discussing where we are going to find the 4,000 additional doctors needed to address the backlog."
Meanwhile, the DHSC announced details of a new NHS website which patients will be able to access ahead of planned operations to see waiting times information for their trust.
The My Planned Care platform is due to go live on the NHS website later in February, and will be accessible to patients, family members, carers and medical professionals.
