NI Dole Queue Lengthens

Figures released today have - as expected - shown a further rise in Northern Ireland's unemployment statistics.

The Northern Ireland seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, as measured by the Labour Force Survey (LFS), was estimated at 6.7% for the period April to June 2009.

This represented an increase from the rate of 6.1% recorded in the previous quarter and was also higher than the rate of 4.2% recorded in the same period one year ago.

However, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate remained below the UK average rate (7.8%) and was fourth lowest of the UK regions.

It was also lower than the European Union (8.9%) and Republic of Ireland (11.7%) rates for May 2009.

The more recent claimant count measure of unemployment stood at 51,000 in July 2009, with the number of claimants having increased by 1,500 over the month.

But, this monthly increase was the equal smallest increase in the last eleven months. Over the year to July 2009, the number of unemployed claimants in Northern Ireland has increased by 23,900 (88.2%), which is slightly higher than the equivalent UK increase (81.1%).

Seasonally adjusted estimates for the period April to June 2009 also showed that there were 744,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland. This represented an estimated fall of 1.6% in employment levels over the quarter and a decrease of 5.6% over the year.

The seasonally adjusted number of working age persons that were economically inactive increased by an estimated 10,000 over the quarter and the corresponding working age economic inactivity rate increased to 29.5% (in April to June 2009). The Northern Ireland inactivity rate remained significantly higher than the UK average rate (21.0%) and was the highest of the UK regions.

Commenting on the figures, NI Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: "Most economies in the developed world have been hit by the global recession, with the fallout from the credit crisis leading to a decline in both consumer and investor confidence.

"Northern Ireland has not been immune to these conditions and rising levels of unemployment have become an inevitable consequence of the current economic climate. The fact that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate compares favourably to the UK and European Union averages will provide little comfort to those currently out of work.

"My department and I remain committed to helping businesses through these difficult times.

"Since the introduction of the £15million Short Term Aid Scheme in June, some 38 businesses have applied for assistance and over £1.1million of support has already been offered by Invest NI.

"This scheme is designed to help eligible businesses cope with short-term financial difficulties caused by the economic downturn.

"It is imperative that Northern Ireland businesses hold onto their key skilled employees, so that they will be able to take advantage of improved economic conditions when they arrive. The Short Term Aid Scheme provides a means by which this can happen," she commented.

The Minister also said she will shortly be receiving the report from the Independent Review of Economic Policy: "The report, and its recommendations, will help to ensure that policies and programmes relating to the economy, and in particular those of my department, are best targeted to achieving our objectives of improving productivity and increasing employment."

The SDLP Employment Spokesperson Pat Ramsey has said the latest unemployment figures are distressing and added: "The Executive could intervene when companies get into trouble as governments in Scotland and elsewhere are doing.

"With strong leadership our departments could get together to protect the jobs we have and promote new ones more effectively, starting with the construction industry," he said.

See: Unemployment Set For 2.5m

(BMcC/KMcA)