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19/01/2005
NI employment levels on the increase
The latest labour market figures, released today, have shown an increase in employment levels during the last year.
Seasonally adjusted figures for the period September – November 2004 estimate that there were 734,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland, an increase of 13,000 over the year.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.1% for the period September – November 2004 has risen from 4.7% in the previous quarter, but is down from the figure for the same period last year (6.0%). The number of people claiming benefits, meanwhile, has decreased by 700 during the month and by 4,900 over the year. The figure for December 2004 stands at 29,100 or 3.6% of the workforce.
Commenting on the figures, Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Barry Gardiner MP, said: “Yesterday’s news that Rusch Manufacturing's Lurgan plant will close during 2005 and that the Gallaher Group is considering the future of a number of jobs in Ballymena is deeply disappointing, and my sympathies go to the workers concerned and their families.
“However, Northern Ireland as a whole is currently experiencing rising employment levels and continuing low levels of unemployment.”
As it stands, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate (5.1%) is lower than three other UK regions: London (7.0%), the North East (6.3%) and Scotland (5.5%).
(MB/SP)
Seasonally adjusted figures for the period September – November 2004 estimate that there were 734,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland, an increase of 13,000 over the year.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.1% for the period September – November 2004 has risen from 4.7% in the previous quarter, but is down from the figure for the same period last year (6.0%). The number of people claiming benefits, meanwhile, has decreased by 700 during the month and by 4,900 over the year. The figure for December 2004 stands at 29,100 or 3.6% of the workforce.
Commenting on the figures, Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Barry Gardiner MP, said: “Yesterday’s news that Rusch Manufacturing's Lurgan plant will close during 2005 and that the Gallaher Group is considering the future of a number of jobs in Ballymena is deeply disappointing, and my sympathies go to the workers concerned and their families.
“However, Northern Ireland as a whole is currently experiencing rising employment levels and continuing low levels of unemployment.”
As it stands, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate (5.1%) is lower than three other UK regions: London (7.0%), the North East (6.3%) and Scotland (5.5%).
(MB/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Some late sunshine this evening. Staying dry with some clear spells developing between patches of cloud, this allows a few fog patches to develop through the early hours. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
