NI Dole Queue Lengthens

Against a backdrop of accelerating job losses across the whole of the UK, the latest unemployment figures for NI have been released.

Some 52,000 thousand people were out of work here last month, a rise of 2,000 in the number claiming unemployment benefit in Northern Ireland.

The unemployment rate, as measured by the Labour Force Survey was estimated at 6.7% for the period May to July 2009.

This represented an increase from the rate of 6.2% recorded in the previous quarter and was also higher than the rate of 4.4% recorded in the same period a year ago.

On a positive note however, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate remained below the UK average rate (7.9%) and was joint second lowest among the UK regions.

It was also lower than the European Union (8.9%) and Republic of Ireland (12.2%) rates for June 2009.

The Quarterly Employment Survey showed 709,040 employee jobs filled, a drop of 5,470 over the quarter and 25,450 over the past year.

Commenting on the figures, NI Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster (pictured) said: "The number of people in receipt of unemployment benefits in Northern Ireland increased once again in August.

"It is therefore imperative that we continue with our efforts to support Northern Ireland companies through this difficult period," she said.

The Minister encouraged companies to take advantage of the short-term measures of assistance that are available at this time, and stressed her commitment towards building a sustainable economic future for Northern Ireland.

"Programmes such as Invest NI's £15m Short-Term Aid Scheme and £5m Accelerated Support Fund have been developed specifically to advise and support eligible businesses at this difficult time.

"I would encourage all such companies to take advantage of the help available," she continued.

See: Three Million On Dole Next Year

(BMcC/GK)