The Green Party today said the writing was on the wall for job losses in the National Health Service, the day Peter Robinson announced his budget.

Green Party MLA Brian Wilson said: “When I voted against the budget I pointed out that the allocation to health, would inevitably lead to job cuts in the NHS. I was critical of the budget, particularly with its plans to achieve three percent efficiency savings. I said at the time, that for such savings to be achieved, thousands of job losses would be inevitable. I’m sorry to say that my warning is now proving to be the case.”

Assembly Member Wilson said: “Job cuts will not improve the lot of over worked doctors and nurses, nor will it help with waiting lists. Those of us who pointed out the impact of the budget on the health service were derided by the Assembly Executive for our opposition. However now we see the chickens coming home to roost.”