The Green Party, which voted against the budget, issued warnings as early as the draft budget in November 2007 and again in May 2008 that it would mean cuts in the National Health Service.

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 3% 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 conditions for over worked doctors and nurses, nor will it help reduce waiting lists. Those of us who pointed out the impact of the budget on the health service were derided by the Assembly’s Executive for our opposition.  However now we see the chickens coming home to roost.”