NI employment rate increases

Employment in Northern Ireland has increased since the last quarter and and the unemployment rate remains below the UK average, according to new government figures released today.

For the period January to March 2006 it has been estimated that there are 758,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland, this represents an increase of 1.1% in employment levels over the previous quarter and an increase of 2.1% over the year.

The latest unemployment rate in Northern Ireland is estimated at 4.4%, which compares favourably to the rate of 4.5% recorded in the previous quarter and is also down from a rate of 4.8% for the same period last year.

The latest NI rate is below the UK average of 5.2% and is also considerably lower than the EU25 rate of 8.5% for February 2006.

The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits stands at 28,300, which is unchanged over the month, but is down 500 over the year.

Commenting on the figures, new Enterprise Minister, Maria Eagle said: “These figures represent very positive news for the Northern Ireland labour market. In an ever-changing world market, it is good that Northern Ireland is maintaining steady levels of employment. It is reassuring to note that our unemployment levels are also below the UK and European average.”

She continued: “I am aware that the Transitional Assembly had a debate on economic matters following the presentation by business leaders to MLAs yesterday, and am conscious of the need to maintain positive employment trends in coming years. It is essential that we maintain progress towards a more sustainable private sector-led economy.”

This month also sees the release of results from the Northern Ireland element of the UK Innovation Survey, which estimates the extent of business innovation activity that occurred in the three-year period from 2002 to 2004.

Figures showed that 56% of businesses in Northern Ireland were innovation active, compared to the UK level of activity of 57%.

Welcoming the publication of the Northern Ireland results of the UK Innovation Survey 2005, Maria Eagle said: “It is very encouraging to see that over half of Northern Ireland’s firms now see innovation as business critical and have built it into their routine planning operations.

“This is a positive sign for the future prosperity of Northern Ireland – only by becoming more innovative as an economy, can we hope to compete in the global markets of tomorrow.”

The Minister added: “I look forward to working directly with all the stakeholders in the Northern Ireland economy to strengthen the conditions needed for continued economic growth."

She concluded by saying that she wishes to ensure that, an environment is created, which increases local competitiveness and fully utilises the skills base available in Northern Ireland.

(EF/SP)