NI unemployment continues to fall

Northern Ireland's unemployment figures continue to fall, according to figures released today which show a rate of 5.4% for the period March – May 2002.

The statistics show that there are now 42,000 persons unemployed, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition. This means that the unemployment rate in Northern Ireland is lower than six other UK regions: North East (6.9%), London (6.9%), Scotland (6.9%), Wales (6.1%), North West and Merseyside (5.6%) and West Midlands (5.6%). This is a fall of almost 1 percentage point over the quarter and the year.

Commenting on the figures this morning, Enterprise Minister Sir Reg Empey said there had also been a fall of 200 in the seasonally adjusted total claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) between May and June.

Sir Reg said "There are now 36,900 JSA claimants in Northern Ireland, the lowest level since September 1975, representing 4.7% of the workforce. It is worth remembering that in 1986 the claimant count peaked at 123,500 (17.1%) and since then we have seen tremendous improvements in the Northern Ireland economy."

Referring to the long-term unemployed, the Minister said that overall 16,000 (37.9%) of the ILO unemployed have been out of work for one year or more, down 4,000 or 5.3% on one year earlier.

He added: "While these figures are also vastly improved, there is without doubt a significant problem still to be addressed in certain areas across Northern Ireland. A lot of effort has gone into getting people back into work, we are seeing results, but there is still much ground to be covered."

The Minister then issued a warning about the uncertain climate currently facing local companies. "Many of our manufacturing companies have been facing severe difficulties recently with changing global markets and falls in demand for certain products. Certain sectors, and indeed specific companies, are facing difficult times and will continue to do so as economies across the world face new and exacting situations.

"At home this year the summer months have once again brought uncertainty and trouble in our streets. To keep our unemployment rate down and go forward and build a modern economy, we need calm and a return to normality, so that Northern Ireland can become a real player in the world economy and not a poor relation," the Minister added. (CL)