Employment figures show slight increase

There has been another fall in unemployment in Northern Ireland according to the latest International Labour Organisation Definition (ILO) figures.

The number of people out of work and claiming benefit fell by 200 last month, once seasonal factors were taken into account.

The figures, released this morning, revealed that 47,000 people (6%) in Northern Ireland are unemployed.

However, for the period August to October 2002, while the unemployment rate has decreased slightly since last year, long-term unemployment remains a particular problem.

Commenting on the figures, Economy Minister Ian Pearson said the £14 million employment aid package announced this week, which will focus on areas of high unemployment and tackling long-term unemployment over the next three years, was "very important".

“The Targeting Initiatives Strategy recognises that unemployment is an issue for all government departments to act on. It also focuses on the importance of partnerships with bodies outside government as key factors in developing initiatives to reduce unemployment,” he concluded.

(MB)