Unemployment in Northern Ireland has risen again, for the 14th time in 15 quarters.

The numbers of people claiming benefits in May climbed by 300 to 62,600 and Northern Ireland's claimant rate is the second highest in the UK.

The Quarterly Employment Survey, which measures the number of people working, showed more than 1,250 jobs were lost here in the first quarter of 2012.

This measure of employment has decreased in 14 of the last 15 quarters, since its peak in 2008.

Although confronted by multiple measures of bad news, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster emphasised that Invest NI is encouraging the development of 180 business projects that will create up to 1,700 new jobs, topping up employment levels past what was lost last quarter.

She said the government agency is putting in place more than £100m to support businesses with growth projects.

The DUP Minister said: "In addition, the Jobs Fund is supporting business owners to create new, sustainable jobs that will tackle our current levels of unemployment. In its first year of operation, the scheme exceeded its year one target by promoting 2,390 jobs against a target of 2,250, and by creating 1,021 jobs against a target of 1,015; which represents a 43% conversion rate."

In conclusion, she said: "Wider economic issues are continuing to put pressure on the labour market in Northern Ireland, but our current unemployment rate of 7.1% still compares favourably to the equivalent rates for the UK (8.2%), European Union (10.9%) and Republic of Ireland (14.5%)."

(NE)