A warning of a pending health tsunami has come from Workers Party representative in Newry and Armagh, Nicola Grant.

The link between poverty, stress and ill health are well documented”, Nicola said

“Newry and Armagh already has the seventh highest number of deaths from circulatory disease There can be no doubt that low pay, precarious employment and rising prices will contribute significantly to those figures. I am seriously concerned about the impact this will have on local people and on our health and care services”, she said.

“In addition to the physical effects, low pay, unemployment and poverty can devastate people’s mental health and wellbeing. We could be facing a devastating and deadly health crisis, placing even more pressure on our already under resourced health and care services”, Nicola warned.

“This can be prevented with investment in secure, well-paid employment, training opportunities, adequate and affordable childcare and the immediate announcement of an energy and fuel allowance scheme”, she said.

“We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that the spiralling cost of living, low wage economy and lack of investment in public services are without consequence”, Nicola warned