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Northern Ireland economy weakens, more become jobless Northern Ireland economy weakens, more become jobless
(35 minutes later)
The Northern Ireland economy is continuing to weaken, according to official figures.The Northern Ireland economy is continuing to weaken, according to official figures.
The Indexes of Services and Production both showed falling output in the second quarter of 2012.The Indexes of Services and Production both showed falling output in the second quarter of 2012.
Services fell by 1% over the quarter while production, which mainly reflects manufacturing output, fell by 5%.Services fell by 1% over the quarter while production, which mainly reflects manufacturing output, fell by 5%.
Meanwhile, another 200 people joined the dole here last month, bringing the total number of unemployed 63,400.Meanwhile, another 200 people joined the dole here last month, bringing the total number of unemployed 63,400.
Between June and August this year 8.1% of the population were unemployed.Between June and August this year 8.1% of the population were unemployed.
Over the year, the number of people claiming the dole here has increased by 4.8%, while in the UK as a whole the figure has fallen by 1.4%.Over the year, the number of people claiming the dole here has increased by 4.8%, while in the UK as a whole the figure has fallen by 1.4%.
A large proportion of the unemployed are young people, with 21.1% of those between aged between 18 and 24 now unemployed, up 3.0% over the year.A large proportion of the unemployed are young people, with 21.1% of those between aged between 18 and 24 now unemployed, up 3.0% over the year.
Northern Ireland does not have its own quarterly GDP figures like those collected for the UK as a whole.
Instead the Indexes of Production and Services, and a third set of figures - the Index of Construction - are used to give an analysis of economic output.
The Index of Construction also showed falling output in the second quarter.
The total volume of construction output decreased by 8.2% over the quarter and was 2.3% lower compared to the same time in 2011.
This decrease follows three consecutive quarters of growth which had lead to glimmers of hope in the beleaguered sector.
Manufacturing has been one of the stronger parts of the Northern Ireland economy in recent years.Manufacturing has been one of the stronger parts of the Northern Ireland economy in recent years.
Despite the quarterly slip the Index of Production still shows growth of 1.6% compared to this time last year.Despite the quarterly slip the Index of Production still shows growth of 1.6% compared to this time last year.
For services the picture is worse, with the year-on-year the Index of Services showing output is down by 3%.For services the picture is worse, with the year-on-year the Index of Services showing output is down by 3%.
The Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said that despite the poor performance this quarter, the NI production sector still continued to perform better than the UK over the year.The Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said that despite the poor performance this quarter, the NI production sector still continued to perform better than the UK over the year.
"Northern Ireland is a small open economy and we cannot expect to remain unaffected by the continued uncertainty in markets around the world," she said."Northern Ireland is a small open economy and we cannot expect to remain unaffected by the continued uncertainty in markets around the world," she said.
"In the face of these challenges, it is important that local businesses continue to look for export opportunities in the wider global economy.""In the face of these challenges, it is important that local businesses continue to look for export opportunities in the wider global economy."