16/04/2003
Province's unemployment figures fall
The latest Labour Force Survey figures have shown that unemployment in Northern Ireland has fallen compared to this time last year.
Seasonally adjusted unemployment figures as measured by the Survey are estimated to be 43,000 or 5.5% in the period December 2002 – February 2003.
The latest figures also showed that there were around 742,000 people in employment between December 2002 and February 2003 - among the highest figures on record.
Welcoming the figures, Ian Pearson, MP, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment said: “This is one of the highest figures on record for Northern Ireland and it is encouraging that employment continues to grow despite the current uncertainties in the global situation.”
Commenting on the unemployment numbers, he said: “At 5.5%, the unemployment rate is down 0.6 percentage points compared to the same period last year, and is virtually unchanged from the previous quarter.”
In addition the most recent Index of production figures (Quarter 4 - 2002) were also released this morning. These show no change in manufacturing output over the year, although there was a slight decrease (0.9%), compared to the previous quarter. The change over the quarter in Northern Ireland is similar to that of the UK as a whole, where manufacturing output decreased by 1.0%. However, over the year, Northern Ireland compares favourably with the UK where manufacturing output decreased by 1.6%.
In conclusion the Minister said: “We must keep focused on the fact that in recent months, a number of companies have announced significant job losses. There are areas of the economy, in particular manufacturing, where we cannot be complacent, but in a period of economic uncertainty, the statistics released today demonstrate that the Northern Ireland economy is in reasonably good economic shape."
(MB)
Seasonally adjusted unemployment figures as measured by the Survey are estimated to be 43,000 or 5.5% in the period December 2002 – February 2003.
The latest figures also showed that there were around 742,000 people in employment between December 2002 and February 2003 - among the highest figures on record.
Welcoming the figures, Ian Pearson, MP, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment said: “This is one of the highest figures on record for Northern Ireland and it is encouraging that employment continues to grow despite the current uncertainties in the global situation.”
Commenting on the unemployment numbers, he said: “At 5.5%, the unemployment rate is down 0.6 percentage points compared to the same period last year, and is virtually unchanged from the previous quarter.”
In addition the most recent Index of production figures (Quarter 4 - 2002) were also released this morning. These show no change in manufacturing output over the year, although there was a slight decrease (0.9%), compared to the previous quarter. The change over the quarter in Northern Ireland is similar to that of the UK as a whole, where manufacturing output decreased by 1.0%. However, over the year, Northern Ireland compares favourably with the UK where manufacturing output decreased by 1.6%.
In conclusion the Minister said: “We must keep focused on the fact that in recent months, a number of companies have announced significant job losses. There are areas of the economy, in particular manufacturing, where we cannot be complacent, but in a period of economic uncertainty, the statistics released today demonstrate that the Northern Ireland economy is in reasonably good economic shape."
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.