14/04/2014
NI Private Sector Expands
Private sector business in Northern Ireland during March expanded at a faster rate than the overall UK average, according to a new report from Ulster Bank released today.
Continued growth of business activity and new orders was recorded at Northern Ireland companies last month, contributing to a record rise in employment. The rate of input cost inflation quickened sharply and output prices rose, following a reduction in February.
New business at Northern Ireland private sector firms rose for the tenth successive month in March, with the rate of expansion having quickened from that recorded in the previous month.
All four sectors posted increases in new business. The construction sector posted a record rise in new orders. New export orders also increased, extending the ongoing expansion to nine months.
Business activity rose in March, with company expansions and a strengthening economy supporting growth. The service sector posted the sharpest rise in activity. However, the increase in output in Northern Ireland was still weaker than that seen across the UK economy as a whole.
Sharper rates of job creation were recorded in the manufacturing, services and construction sectors. Staffing numbers in Northern Ireland increased at a quicker pace than at the UK level.
However, the pace of increase in input prices quickened in March, reversing a slowdown seen in the previous month. The construction sector registered the fastest rise in input costs, thought to be a result of higher supplier charges and staff costs. The rate of inflation in Northern Ireland was much faster than the UK average.
(IT/JP)
Continued growth of business activity and new orders was recorded at Northern Ireland companies last month, contributing to a record rise in employment. The rate of input cost inflation quickened sharply and output prices rose, following a reduction in February.
New business at Northern Ireland private sector firms rose for the tenth successive month in March, with the rate of expansion having quickened from that recorded in the previous month.
All four sectors posted increases in new business. The construction sector posted a record rise in new orders. New export orders also increased, extending the ongoing expansion to nine months.
Business activity rose in March, with company expansions and a strengthening economy supporting growth. The service sector posted the sharpest rise in activity. However, the increase in output in Northern Ireland was still weaker than that seen across the UK economy as a whole.
Sharper rates of job creation were recorded in the manufacturing, services and construction sectors. Staffing numbers in Northern Ireland increased at a quicker pace than at the UK level.
However, the pace of increase in input prices quickened in March, reversing a slowdown seen in the previous month. The construction sector registered the fastest rise in input costs, thought to be a result of higher supplier charges and staff costs. The rate of inflation in Northern Ireland was much faster than the UK average.
(IT/JP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 June 2013
NIPSA Slam Chancellor's Budget Cuts
Public sector trade union, NIPSA, has criticised Chancellor George Osborne following Wednesday afternoon's Spending Review. Yesterday, Mr Osborne revealed Northern Ireland's budget for the year 2015/16 is to be cut by 2% to £9.6bn.
NIPSA Slam Chancellor's Budget Cuts
Public sector trade union, NIPSA, has criticised Chancellor George Osborne following Wednesday afternoon's Spending Review. Yesterday, Mr Osborne revealed Northern Ireland's budget for the year 2015/16 is to be cut by 2% to £9.6bn.
18 January 2012
UK Govt. Criticised Over Public-Sector Job Cuts
Northern Ireland will be the UK region hardest hit by public sector job cuts. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said that 26,000 public sector jobs would go in NI by 2017. It said the executive must take firm action to defend the NI economy from the coalition government's plans.
UK Govt. Criticised Over Public-Sector Job Cuts
Northern Ireland will be the UK region hardest hit by public sector job cuts. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said that 26,000 public sector jobs would go in NI by 2017. It said the executive must take firm action to defend the NI economy from the coalition government's plans.
14 October 2010
Economy Needs Fillip - Not Cut-backs
Stimulating enterprise and trade must be a priority going beyond public sector cuts says banking economists. According to the Northern Bank's Chief Economist Angela McGowan, (pictured) decision-makers need to bring forward measures for growing the private sector alongside anticapated proposals to slim the public sector.
Economy Needs Fillip - Not Cut-backs
Stimulating enterprise and trade must be a priority going beyond public sector cuts says banking economists. According to the Northern Bank's Chief Economist Angela McGowan, (pictured) decision-makers need to bring forward measures for growing the private sector alongside anticapated proposals to slim the public sector.
11 April 2018
Over 1,500 New 'Affordable' Homes Delivered
New figures have revealed more than 1,500 new social and 'affordable' homes were delivered by Northern Ireland's Housing Associations in 2017.
Over 1,500 New 'Affordable' Homes Delivered
New figures have revealed more than 1,500 new social and 'affordable' homes were delivered by Northern Ireland's Housing Associations in 2017.
10 February 2014
Strong Increase In NI Business Growth
The growth of new business in Northern Ireland has reached its highest level in almost a decade, a new survey has indicated. According to the Ulster Bank Northern Ireland Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey for January, it seems recovery within the region's private sector is continuing to improve.
Strong Increase In NI Business Growth
The growth of new business in Northern Ireland has reached its highest level in almost a decade, a new survey has indicated. According to the Ulster Bank Northern Ireland Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey for January, it seems recovery within the region's private sector is continuing to improve.