1,537 people out of work in Ballymena & District

The current unemployed total, for May, stands at 1,537 which is 24 less claimants than the previous month.

Broken down into wards, Dunclug had the highest total unemployed as of May at 115 (compared to 114 the previous month), next was Ballee at 107 (108 in April, 2011) and third highest was Ballykeel on 99 (no change month on month).

The ward with the least unemployment as of May this year was Dunminngin on 21 (24 in April).

Province-wide, while the number of people signing on the dole in has risen again, the unemployment rate in the last quarter has fallen.

The latest figures show that 400 more people claimed Jobseekers Allowance in April compared to the previous month bringing the total to 59,500.

However, according to the Labour Force Survey the unemployment rate fell to 7.2% between February and April which is below the UK rate of 7.7%.

That represents a decrease from the rate of 8.0% in the previous quarter, but a slight increase from the rate of 7.1% recorded in the previous year.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said there has been a rise in the number of jobs here with 590 being created in the last quarter.

“It is encouraging to note the rise in jobs during the first quarter of 2011. This increase was driven by a rise in opportunities within the Service Sector.”

“It is also pleasing to note the fall in the unemployment rate during the latest quarter.”

Ms Foster also said reducing the rate of corporation tax in Northern Ireland could be the “stimulus needed to sufficiently strengthen the private sector and create the necessary employment growth.”

“However, such a move would involve the Executive having to make difficult decisions on what is a very complex issue that will impact on us all,” she said.