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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Growth in NI unemployment slows | Growth in NI unemployment slows |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Growth in unemployment has shown its smallest monthly rise in more than year, according to the latest government figures | Growth in unemployment has shown its smallest monthly rise in more than year, according to the latest government figures |
| Another 1,100 people joined the dole queues in Northern Ireland last month, raising the total number looking for work to 53,800. | Another 1,100 people joined the dole queues in Northern Ireland last month, raising the total number looking for work to 53,800. |
| However, the figures suggest the rate of job losses is slowing. | However, the figures suggest the rate of job losses is slowing. |
| The rise of 2.1% month-on-month was the smallest increase for fifteen months. | The rise of 2.1% month-on-month was the smallest increase for fifteen months. |
| However the jobs picture is still gloomy with the unemployment rate in Northern Ireland now over 7%. | However the jobs picture is still gloomy with the unemployment rate in Northern Ireland now over 7%. |
| This compares to a rate of 4.3% at same time last year. | This compares to a rate of 4.3% at same time last year. |
| This represents the largest annual rise in unemployment since the current measurement system began in 1995. | This represents the largest annual rise in unemployment since the current measurement system began in 1995. |
| 'Disappointing' | |
| The Northern Ireland unemployment rate remained below the UK average of 7.9%. | The Northern Ireland unemployment rate remained below the UK average of 7.9%. |
| However, the Northern Ireland economic inactivity rate of 29.3% remained considerably higher than the UK average rate of 21.0% and was the highest of the UK regions. | However, the Northern Ireland economic inactivity rate of 29.3% remained considerably higher than the UK average rate of 21.0% and was the highest of the UK regions. |
| People classed as "economically inactive" are those who are not looking for work for reasons like sickness, disability and domestic responsibilities. | People classed as "economically inactive" are those who are not looking for work for reasons like sickness, disability and domestic responsibilities. |
| Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: "It is disappointing to note the latest rise in unemployment levels, but not surprising given the continuing impact of the global recession. | Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: "It is disappointing to note the latest rise in unemployment levels, but not surprising given the continuing impact of the global recession. |
| "This was the largest annual increase in unemployment since the Labour Force Survey series began in 1995. The imperative for us in government is to respond in the right way to these short-term job losses to ensure that they don't become more structural or long-term in nature. | "This was the largest annual increase in unemployment since the Labour Force Survey series began in 1995. The imperative for us in government is to respond in the right way to these short-term job losses to ensure that they don't become more structural or long-term in nature. |
| "Our focus must rest on creating a high wage and high value employment economy in line with the recommendations of the Independent Review of Economic Policy, which was published last month." | "Our focus must rest on creating a high wage and high value employment economy in line with the recommendations of the Independent Review of Economic Policy, which was published last month." |