The regional Labour Market Statistics released today have revealed that the total number of people employed in Northern Ireland has increased by 29,000 since the same period last year (October – December 2001).

The statistics indicate that at 5.5% for October to December 2002, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate is the second lowest recorded since 1984.

According to the enterprise department, this was because of a rise in the number of employees (22,000), an increase in the number of self-employed (6,000) and an increase in the numbers of those on government employment and training schemes (1,000).

Figures for the period October to December 2002 show there are approximately 43,000 people unemployed, which is 1,000 lower than the estimate one year earlier.

At 5.5%, the unemployment rate is 0.8 percentage points lower than last quarter and is down 0.4 percentage points from the equivalent figure a year ago. As it stands the Northern Ireland statistics are lower than three other UK regions North East (6.9%), London (6.6%), Scotland (5.9%) and the same as West Midlands (5.5%).

NIO Trade Minister Ian Pearson said: "Employment is continuing to hold up well and the proportion out of work is amongst the lowest recorded in Northern Ireland.”

The Minister went on to focus on the wide economic picture, adding: “Encouraging as these statistics are, they are only one indicator of the region’s economic health. There are many other measures of how Northern Ireland is holding its’ own.

“Pro-activity in job creation is demonstrated through ‘Accelerating Entrepreneurship’, the recently launched strategy which aims to enhance entrepreneurial activity and the level of business start ups in Northern Ireland."

The department have said that Invest NI and Northern Ireland’s 26 District Partnerships are on target to help create over 6,000 new businesses generating £600 million for the local economy by 2005 through the Northern Ireland Business Start programme.

However, the Minister added: "Recent job losses across Northern Ireland are very regrettable, particularly the concentration of losses in textiles & clothing in the North West, and my Department and Invest NI are focused on working with these companies and communities in lessening the pain of individuals, their families and their local economy.

“News of such redundancies is deeply disappointing but is a signal for my Department and businesses to work together to do more, not less to stimulate long term growth in the Northern Ireland economy.”

(GMcG)