The latest Northern Ireland job figures released on Friday June 16 have revealed a decrease in unemployment numbers to their lowest level in almost 30 years.

According to the seasonally adjusted figures for the period from February to April 2002, there were 44,000 people unemployed, a 0.6 percentage point decrease over the past quarter and a fall of 0.4 percentage points compared with the same period last year.

Commenting on the figures, Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said: “It is encouraging that our unemployment rates have again fallen. Northern Ireland’s unemployment rate is presently lower than five other UK regions including the other devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales. Long-term unemployment has also fallen significantly over the year to 15,000, a fall of almost 10 percentage points.

“There is also encouraging news in relation to the numbers claiming Job Seekers Allowance. The seasonally adjusted claimant count has fallen by 500 between April and May and is now 4.7% of the workforce. At 37,000 the claimant count is at its lowest level since September 1975.”

Underlining his Department’s commitment to tackling unemployment, Sir Reg said: “Although our unemployment rate is currently relatively low and the economy is making steady progress in sometimes quite adverse conditions, there are still redundancies planned which may have an effect on future statistics.

“I am conscious that behind each statistic is an individual, and probably a family, who is suffering the consequences of not being in work. It is not just the financial implications of being unemployed but the impact on an individual’s self esteem and self worth."

The Minister said he was determined to push forward strategies and policies aimed at helping support the further development of the local economy.

He also said that his department would soon publish its Corporate Plan which would highlight the framework for economic development policy.

(MB)