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14/10/2009
NI Jobless Still On The Rise
The unemployment rate in Northern Ireland is now over 7% according to the latest government figures.
Figures released today recorded a further increase in unemployment levels in Northern Ireland.
Also revealed was news that output from the Northern Ireland service sector was relatively unchanged over the latest quarter, but output from the production sector fell once again.
The Northern Ireland seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, as measured by the Labour Force Survey (LFS), was estimated at 7.1% for the period June to August 2009.
This represented an increase from the rate of 6.3% recorded in the previous quarter and was also up from the rate of 4.3% recorded in the same period one year ago.
This annual increase represented the largest increase in unemployment since the LFS seasonally adjusted series began in 1995 and was the third highest increase among the UK regions.
However, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate remained below the UK average (7.9%) and was the equal fourth lowest rate among the UK regions. It was also lower than the European Union (9.0%) and Republic of Ireland (12.5%) rates for July 2009.
The more recent claimant count measure of unemployment stood at 53,800 in September 2009, with the number of claimants having increased by 1,100 over the month.
Although this was the smallest increase for 15 months in Northern Ireland, it represented the largest percentage increase (2.1%) of the UK regions (the overall UK increase was 1.3%).
Over the year to September 2009, the number of unemployed claimants in Northern Ireland increased by 23,800 (79.3%), which was higher than the equivalent UK increase (70.0%).
Seasonally adjusted estimates for the period June - August 2009 showed that there were 745,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland. This estimate was essentially unchanged from the previous quarter (+0.1%), but was down 5.4% over the year.
Commenting on the figures, NI Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: "It is disappointing to note the latest rise in unemployment levels, but not surprising given the continuing impact of the global recession.
"This was the largest annual increase in unemployment since the LFS series began in 1995. The imperative for us in government is to respond in the right way to these short-term job losses to ensure that they don’t become more structural or long-term in nature," she said.
"However, I would continue to urge companies to investigate all potential markets and concentrate on providing high quality products and services that will give them a competitive advantage.
"Customer focused, innovative businesses will no doubt reap the biggest rewards as economic conditions improve."
(BMcC/KMcA)
Figures released today recorded a further increase in unemployment levels in Northern Ireland.
Also revealed was news that output from the Northern Ireland service sector was relatively unchanged over the latest quarter, but output from the production sector fell once again.
The Northern Ireland seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, as measured by the Labour Force Survey (LFS), was estimated at 7.1% for the period June to August 2009.
This represented an increase from the rate of 6.3% recorded in the previous quarter and was also up from the rate of 4.3% recorded in the same period one year ago.
This annual increase represented the largest increase in unemployment since the LFS seasonally adjusted series began in 1995 and was the third highest increase among the UK regions.
However, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate remained below the UK average (7.9%) and was the equal fourth lowest rate among the UK regions. It was also lower than the European Union (9.0%) and Republic of Ireland (12.5%) rates for July 2009.
The more recent claimant count measure of unemployment stood at 53,800 in September 2009, with the number of claimants having increased by 1,100 over the month.
Although this was the smallest increase for 15 months in Northern Ireland, it represented the largest percentage increase (2.1%) of the UK regions (the overall UK increase was 1.3%).
Over the year to September 2009, the number of unemployed claimants in Northern Ireland increased by 23,800 (79.3%), which was higher than the equivalent UK increase (70.0%).
Seasonally adjusted estimates for the period June - August 2009 showed that there were 745,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland. This estimate was essentially unchanged from the previous quarter (+0.1%), but was down 5.4% over the year.
Commenting on the figures, NI Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: "It is disappointing to note the latest rise in unemployment levels, but not surprising given the continuing impact of the global recession.
"This was the largest annual increase in unemployment since the LFS series began in 1995. The imperative for us in government is to respond in the right way to these short-term job losses to ensure that they don’t become more structural or long-term in nature," she said.
"However, I would continue to urge companies to investigate all potential markets and concentrate on providing high quality products and services that will give them a competitive advantage.
"Customer focused, innovative businesses will no doubt reap the biggest rewards as economic conditions improve."
(BMcC/KMcA)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
