Northern Ireland's unemployment rate remains below the UK average, and output levels for both production and service sector industries have increased according to the latest Labour Market Statistics published by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Northern Ireland was 4.3% for the period of June – August 2006, which is broadly similar to the rate of 4.5%, which was recorded for both the previous quarter and for the same period last year.

The latest Northern Ireland rate is below the UK average of 5.5%, and is also considerably lower than the EU25 rate of 8.0% for July 2006.

Seasonally adjusted figures for the period June – August 2006 indicate that there were 768,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland. The new figures represent an estimated increase of 1.2% in employment levels over the quarter and an increase of 1.3% over the year.

The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits stands at 27,600, which is unchanged from the previous month, but is down 500 over the year.

The latest seasonally adjusted working age economic inactivity rate in Northern Ireland, 27.0% is little changed from the figure of 27.3% recorded in the previous quarter.

The Northern Ireland rate remains significantly higher than the UK average (20.9%) and is the highest among the UK regions.

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister, Maria Eagle MP said: "It is good to see the continuing low levels of unemployment in Northern Ireland. The latest rate is more than one percentage point below the UK average and is the second lowest rate among the UK regions."

Provisional results from the experimental Index of Services (IOS) for the second quarter of 2006, estimate that the Northern Ireland service sector has grown by 4.8% in real terms since the same period last year, which compares to an estimated increase of 3.7% for the UK as a whole over the same period.

Results from the Index of Production (IOP) for the second quarter of 2006 show that production in Northern Ireland increased by 1.7% over the quarter, while the UK remained steady. Over the year, Northern Ireland output levels increased by 0.6%, whereas the UK as a whole reported a decrease of 0.7%.

Northern Ireland manufacturing output - the main component of the production index, increased by 1.9% over the quarter and by 0.8% over the year.

The equivalent UK figures showed an increase of 0.8% over the quarter, and 1.1% over the year.

Minister Eagle commented: "Despite well-documented difficulties, our manufacturing companies have continued to perform positively. The annual growth in output levels from the Northern Ireland service sector also remains strong and is higher than that recorded for the UK.

“Private sector led growth in high value added activities is key to developing the full potential of the Northern Ireland economy. While globalisation presents challenges, it also offers many opportunities for accelerated growth. I would encourage businesses to continue to develop their export markets wherever possible.”

(EF/KMcA)