1,718 people out of work in Ballymena & District

The current unemployed total, for March, stands at 1,718 which is 36 more claimants than the previous month.

Broken down into wards, Ballee and Dunclug were tied for the highest total unemployed on 129 (up from 123 and 120 the previous month, respectively).

Ballykeel was next highest with its claimant count on 117 (121 in February), followed by Castle Demesne on 109 (103 in February).

The ward with the least unemployment as of March this year was Ballyloughan on 27 (29 the previous month).

Province-wide the latest statistics showed that there has been no change in the overall Northern Ireland unemployment rate, but a slight rise in the numbers claiming benefit.

Under the definition of unemployment known as the labour force survey, unemployment between December 2011 and February 2012 was estimated at 6.8%.

This was unchanged for the rate recorded in the previous quarter.

The Northern Ireland unemployment rate of 6.8% remained below the UK average rate of 8.3%.

Last month the seasonally adjusted number of people claiming unemployment related benefits stood at 61,500. That was up 200 on the previous month’s figure.