Latest figures show rise in jobless total
THE number of local people out of work and claiming benefits increased by more than two per cent last month, according to the government's latest figures.
After falling for three consecutive months, Newtownabbey's unemployment total rose again during July.
According to the Department of Employment’s Monthly Labour Market Report, the borough’s jobless figure stood at 2,057 last month - 1,533 men and 524 women. That represents a rise of 48 (2.4 per cent) from the previous month, and an increase of 177 (9.4 per cent) over the past year.
The percentage of the borough's working age population out of work and claiming unemployment benefit still stands at 3.9 per cent - now the seventh lowest figure of Northern Ireland's 26 local council areas.
Across Northern Ireland, the figures for April - June recorded a decrease in the unemployment rate to 6.6 per cent. However, the number of people out of work and claiming benefits during July stood at 56,800, representing a 1.4 per cent increase from the previous month.
The Northern Ireland unemployment rate remains below the UK (7.8 per cent) and European Union (9.6 per cent) averages.
Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: “Trading conditions remain extremely challenging for our businesses and the impending public sector spending cuts will add further negative pressure on the labour market.
“It is therefore imperative that we, as an Executive, make the right decisions and put in place the correct policies that will help the Northern Ireland private sector maximise growth.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Newtownabbey
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
