Slight rise in NI unemployment

There was a slight rise in the Northern Ireland unemployment rate but it continues to remain below the UK average, it has emerged today.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Northern Ireland was 4.7% for the period of July - September 2006, which is slightly higher than the rates recorded for the previous quarter at 4.2% and the previous year at 4.3%.

However, the Northern Ireland rate remains below the UK average of 5.6% and is also considerably lower than the EU25 rate of 8.0% for August 2006.

Seasonally adjusted figures for the period July - September 2006 also estimate that there were 759,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland.

The new figures represent an estimated decrease of 1.2% in employment levels over the quarter and a fall of 0.2% over the year.

During the last month, the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits increased by 300.

The latest seasonally adjusted claimant count figure stands at 28,000, down 200 over the year.

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister, Maria Eagle said: "The slight rise in unemployment this quarter shows that we cannot take continuing low levels of unemployment for granted. However, it should be noted that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate remains at a historically low level, well below the European average and third lowest among the UK regions."

Results from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) were also released recently.

These show that growth over the year to April 2006 in median gross weekly earnings for all full-time employees in NI was 5.2% to £405.2 compared with growth in the UK of 3.7% to £447.1.

Full-time median gross weekly private sector earnings in NI remain markedly lower at 15.3% than in the UK. This is despite faster private sector earnings growth at 7.0% in NI compared to the UK 4.5% over the year to April 2006.

Results also show a narrowing of the NI gender pay gap, with female full-time median hourly earnings, excluding overtime, being some 99.8% of male earnings (87.4% in the UK).

While the overall gender pay gap has closed, there are continuing differences in earnings between the sexes across industry and occupation.

Males continue to work more hours than females, with a median total hours worked per week of 40.0 hours compared to 37.4 hours for females.

Welcoming the earnings survey, Maria Eagle said: "Northern Ireland’s faster rate of growth in private sector full-time earnings, relative to the UK is encouraging news. A strong private sector is critical to the development of a sustainable local economy. However, there is still considerable room for growth if we are to achieve our full potential, and I would encourage businesses to lead the way by continually improving services and seeking new markets.

"The continued narrowing of the gender gap in earnings highlights the increased value of the female contribution to the workforce and ultimately to the Northern Ireland economy. High paying private sector jobs for both men and women is the way forward and we must build on the progress made."

(EF)