15/10/2008
NI Unemployment Up
September saw the largest monthly increase in unemployment claimants in 22 years, new government figures have revealed.
Statistics from the Business Department show unemployment in Northern Ireland grew by 4.3% during the summer - however, the rate remained below the UK and European Union average.
Output from the province's service sector fell in the second quarter of 2008, while production output increased over the quarter and the year.
The Northern Ireland seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 4.3% for the period June to August 2008.
This represented a slight increase from the rate of 4.1% recorded last quarter and was also higher than the rate of 3.7% recorded in the same period in 2007.
Despite this increase, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate remained below the UK average (5.7%) and was also lower than the European Union (6.8%) and Republic of Ireland (5.9%) rates for July 2008.
It is estimated 788,000 Northern Ireland people are in employment.
This represented a fall of 0.9% in employment levels over the quarter, but a rise of 1.5% over the year.
The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits increased by 1,200 during the latest month to 28,900 in September 2008.
This represented the largest single monthly increase in unemployed claimants since April 1986.
Economy Minister Arlene Foster said: "The latest labour market figures show some further increases in unemployment. While this is disappointing, it is not entirely unexpected.
"The slow-down in the housing market and wider construction industry in particular is having a large impact, with former construction workers accounting for the majority of the rise in benefit claimants during September."
Ms Foster said Northern Ireland cannot expect to be immune from the dramatic changes in the financial markets.
The Minister suggested business and consumer confidence has also been affected by price rises and economic uncertainty.
"Nevertheless, this must be considered in the context of the positive results from the production sector, which has shown increased output over the quarter and the year.
"In these times of economic uncertainty, the most innovative and productive companies are better positioned to weather the economic downturn," added Ms Foster.
(PR/JM)
Statistics from the Business Department show unemployment in Northern Ireland grew by 4.3% during the summer - however, the rate remained below the UK and European Union average.
Output from the province's service sector fell in the second quarter of 2008, while production output increased over the quarter and the year.
The Northern Ireland seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 4.3% for the period June to August 2008.
This represented a slight increase from the rate of 4.1% recorded last quarter and was also higher than the rate of 3.7% recorded in the same period in 2007.
Despite this increase, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate remained below the UK average (5.7%) and was also lower than the European Union (6.8%) and Republic of Ireland (5.9%) rates for July 2008.
It is estimated 788,000 Northern Ireland people are in employment.
This represented a fall of 0.9% in employment levels over the quarter, but a rise of 1.5% over the year.
The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits increased by 1,200 during the latest month to 28,900 in September 2008.
This represented the largest single monthly increase in unemployed claimants since April 1986.
Economy Minister Arlene Foster said: "The latest labour market figures show some further increases in unemployment. While this is disappointing, it is not entirely unexpected.
"The slow-down in the housing market and wider construction industry in particular is having a large impact, with former construction workers accounting for the majority of the rise in benefit claimants during September."
Ms Foster said Northern Ireland cannot expect to be immune from the dramatic changes in the financial markets.
The Minister suggested business and consumer confidence has also been affected by price rises and economic uncertainty.
"Nevertheless, this must be considered in the context of the positive results from the production sector, which has shown increased output over the quarter and the year.
"In these times of economic uncertainty, the most innovative and productive companies are better positioned to weather the economic downturn," added Ms Foster.
(PR/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 February 2016
Unemployment Decreases In Last Quarter Of 2015
New figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency, have revealed a "marginal decrease" in unemployment for the period October – December, 2015. Key findings of the Labour Market Report, published today, include: • Over the quarter and the year, the employment rate increased and the economic inactivity rate decreased.
Unemployment Decreases In Last Quarter Of 2015
New figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency, have revealed a "marginal decrease" in unemployment for the period October – December, 2015. Key findings of the Labour Market Report, published today, include: • Over the quarter and the year, the employment rate increased and the economic inactivity rate decreased.
20 July 2016
Drop In Number Of People Claiming Unemployment Benefits
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Northern Ireland has dropped, according to new figures. The unemployment rate was 5.9% between March and May this year, a decrease of 0.4% over the year. The latest Labour Force Survey revealed in June the number of unemployment claimants stood at 36,700, a decrease of 600 over the month.
Drop In Number Of People Claiming Unemployment Benefits
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Northern Ireland has dropped, according to new figures. The unemployment rate was 5.9% between March and May this year, a decrease of 0.4% over the year. The latest Labour Force Survey revealed in June the number of unemployment claimants stood at 36,700, a decrease of 600 over the month.
16 October 2002
Unemployment rises by 5,000 over last quarter
Unemployment in Northern Ireland is up by around 5,000 in the last quarter according to Labour Force Survey (LFS) figures released today. The total number of unemployed now stands at 47,000 for the period from June to August, or around 6.1% of the population according to International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. The rise marks a 0.
Unemployment rises by 5,000 over last quarter
Unemployment in Northern Ireland is up by around 5,000 in the last quarter according to Labour Force Survey (LFS) figures released today. The total number of unemployed now stands at 47,000 for the period from June to August, or around 6.1% of the population according to International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. The rise marks a 0.
12 June 2008
Good News On NI Jobs
The latest figures show that the number of jobs in Northern Ireland rose to the highest figure on record in March 2008. The unemployment rate has decreased over the quarter (February-April 2008) and remains below the UK average.
Good News On NI Jobs
The latest figures show that the number of jobs in Northern Ireland rose to the highest figure on record in March 2008. The unemployment rate has decreased over the quarter (February-April 2008) and remains below the UK average.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.