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19/10/2016
Drop In Unemployment Figures
The number of people unemployed in Northern Ireland has dropped by 5.5% from June to August 2016.
According to the Labour Force Survey, the number has decreased by 0.4% over the quarter and 0.5% over the year.
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said the unemployment rate is at the lowest it has been since September.
Minister Hamilton said:"The figures in relation to the number of claimants in receipt of unemployment related benefits for September 2016 stand at 34,900. This is another positive decrease of 400 over the month and a fall of 5,800 over the year.
"Bringing more and better jobs to Northern Ireland is my main priority."
However, Ulster Unionist spokesperson on the economy Steve Aiken MLA, warned the Executive against complacency in light of other less favourable economic indicators.
He said: "The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes the latest labour market figures which show another slight reduction in the Northern Ireland unemployment rate to 5.5%. However, some caution should be shown and the Executive and the Economy Minister should try to avoid cherry picking the data.
"Some context needs to be applied. In the spring of 2007 when the Stormont Executive was re-established the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Northern Ireland was 3.7%. That was lower than the UK average of 5.4% and the lowest of all the UK regions.
"With Northern Ireland having, proportionately, the largest public sector in the UK, we should have suffered less during the recession that occurred after 2007. That did not happen, and according to the NI Economic Reform Group we suffered the largest percentage loss of jobs of any region during the last recession. Our recovery lags behind the rest of the United Kingdom."
(CD/LM)
According to the Labour Force Survey, the number has decreased by 0.4% over the quarter and 0.5% over the year.
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said the unemployment rate is at the lowest it has been since September.
Minister Hamilton said:"The figures in relation to the number of claimants in receipt of unemployment related benefits for September 2016 stand at 34,900. This is another positive decrease of 400 over the month and a fall of 5,800 over the year.
"Bringing more and better jobs to Northern Ireland is my main priority."
However, Ulster Unionist spokesperson on the economy Steve Aiken MLA, warned the Executive against complacency in light of other less favourable economic indicators.
He said: "The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes the latest labour market figures which show another slight reduction in the Northern Ireland unemployment rate to 5.5%. However, some caution should be shown and the Executive and the Economy Minister should try to avoid cherry picking the data.
"Some context needs to be applied. In the spring of 2007 when the Stormont Executive was re-established the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Northern Ireland was 3.7%. That was lower than the UK average of 5.4% and the lowest of all the UK regions.
"With Northern Ireland having, proportionately, the largest public sector in the UK, we should have suffered less during the recession that occurred after 2007. That did not happen, and according to the NI Economic Reform Group we suffered the largest percentage loss of jobs of any region during the last recession. Our recovery lags behind the rest of the United Kingdom."
(CD/LM)
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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.
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Rise In Number Claiming Unemployment Benefits
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits increased by 200 last month, according to new figures released. This is the first rise in over two years. Despite the latest increase, there has been a fall of 10,400 in the unemployment claimant figures over the last 12 months.
Rise In Number Claiming Unemployment Benefits
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits increased by 200 last month, according to new figures released. This is the first rise in over two years. Despite the latest increase, there has been a fall of 10,400 in the unemployment claimant figures over the last 12 months.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry day with long spells of sunshine for most, however eastern coasts will see rather more in the way of cloud at times, with just the risk of an odd light morning shower. Mainly light northerly winds. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:A fine end to the day with some evening sunshine. It remains dry overnight with a touch of frost possible in places, although cloud is expected to increase towards dawn. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
