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15/10/2008
Construction Job Losses Hit NI Unemployment
A step decline in the housing market and the associated construction industry is having an impact on Northern Ireland's levels of unemployment.
The construction industry accounted for approximately 60% of the September increase.
Commenting on the figures, NI 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," she said.
However, while losses are most significant in that sector, there has only been a slight overall increase in unemployment in Northern Ireland, with the rate remaining below the UK and European Union average.
New figures published today show that 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 one year ago.
The 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.
Seasonally adjusted estimates for the same period showed that there were 788,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland.
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 in over 20 years (since April 1986).
Again though, a Ministerial target has been missed as the Northern Ireland's rate of economic inactivity remained considerably higher than the UK average rate (20.9%) and was the highest of the UK regions.
The latest seasonally adjusted working age economic inactivity rate in Northern Ireland (26.7%) increased from the figure of 26.2% recorded for the previous quarter.
Also revealed is news that output from Northern Ireland's service sector fell in the second quarter of 2008, although production output increased over the quarter and the year.
Reflecting on the Index of Production and Index of Services, Stormont Minister Arlene Foster also said: "This was the fourth consecutive quarter in which we have seen a decline in business activity in private sector services.
"Most of this has been driven by falling sales in the wholesale, retail and business services and finance sectors during the second quarter of the year.
"We cannot expect to be immune from the dramatic changes in the financial markets. Business and consumer confidence has also undoubtedly been affected by price rises and economic uncertainty," she commented.
(BMcC)
The construction industry accounted for approximately 60% of the September increase.
Commenting on the figures, NI 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," she said.
However, while losses are most significant in that sector, there has only been a slight overall increase in unemployment in Northern Ireland, with the rate remaining below the UK and European Union average.
New figures published today show that 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 one year ago.
The 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.
Seasonally adjusted estimates for the same period showed that there were 788,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland.
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 in over 20 years (since April 1986).
Again though, a Ministerial target has been missed as the Northern Ireland's rate of economic inactivity remained considerably higher than the UK average rate (20.9%) and was the highest of the UK regions.
The latest seasonally adjusted working age economic inactivity rate in Northern Ireland (26.7%) increased from the figure of 26.2% recorded for the previous quarter.
Also revealed is news that output from Northern Ireland's service sector fell in the second quarter of 2008, although production output increased over the quarter and the year.
Reflecting on the Index of Production and Index of Services, Stormont Minister Arlene Foster also said: "This was the fourth consecutive quarter in which we have seen a decline in business activity in private sector services.
"Most of this has been driven by falling sales in the wholesale, retail and business services and finance sectors during the second quarter of the year.
"We cannot expect to be immune from the dramatic changes in the financial markets. Business and consumer confidence has also undoubtedly been affected by price rises and economic uncertainty," she commented.
(BMcC)
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17 November 2004
NI unemployment figures continue to fall
The latest labour market figures, released today, show that Northern Ireland is continuing to experience historically low levels of unemployment. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.1% for the period July – September 2004 has fallen by 0.2 percentage points from the previous quarter.
NI unemployment figures continue to fall
The latest labour market figures, released today, show that Northern Ireland is continuing to experience historically low levels of unemployment. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.1% for the period July – September 2004 has fallen by 0.2 percentage points from the previous quarter.
13 February 2008
Unemployment Up - But More People Are Working
Although still under the UK average, unemployment in Northern Ireland has gone up again. The numbers of people who are deemed 'economic inactive' has also continued to rise. However, on the plus side, the numbers actually in work rose again by 1,000 to 781,000 over the quarter and 9,000 on the year.
Unemployment Up - But More People Are Working
Although still under the UK average, unemployment in Northern Ireland has gone up again. The numbers of people who are deemed 'economic inactive' has also continued to rise. However, on the plus side, the numbers actually in work rose again by 1,000 to 781,000 over the quarter and 9,000 on the year.
18 July 2007
Dodds Welcomes 'Low' NI Unemployment Rate
Northern Ireland's unemployment rate remains below the UK average and service sector output levels have increased over the last year. Economy Minister, Nigel Dodds welcoming the figures said: "These figures highlight the strengthening of the Northern Ireland labour market over recent years.
Dodds Welcomes 'Low' NI Unemployment Rate
Northern Ireland's unemployment rate remains below the UK average and service sector output levels have increased over the last year. Economy Minister, Nigel Dodds welcoming the figures said: "These figures highlight the strengthening of the Northern Ireland labour market over recent years.
12 December 2007
NI Employment Levels Hit Record High
Christmas may be the time to be merry, but it looks like there is reason to celebrate well in to 2008 as figures just released have shown that Northern Ireland has the highest number of jobs on record – with many more people working in both the building and construction world, as well as in the service sector.
NI Employment Levels Hit Record High
Christmas may be the time to be merry, but it looks like there is reason to celebrate well in to 2008 as figures just released have shown that Northern Ireland has the highest number of jobs on record – with many more people working in both the building and construction world, as well as in the service sector.
19 March 2003
NI gains 7,000 new jobs despite 'difficult year'
The regional Labour Market Statistics for the last quarter of 2002 released this morning have indicated that there has been an increase of some 7,000 jobs over the year, with a particularly strong performance in the service sector.
NI gains 7,000 new jobs despite 'difficult year'
The regional Labour Market Statistics for the last quarter of 2002 released this morning have indicated that there has been an increase of some 7,000 jobs over the year, with a particularly strong performance in the service sector.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
