7.7 per cent of workers now on the dole

DOLE queues lengthened in Londonderry for the second consecutive month in February with 7.7 per cent of the working age population now claiming benefits - the highest rate in Northern Ireland.

The rate of dole claimants in Londonderry rose from 7.6 per cent to 7.7 per cent of the working age population last month.

Dole queues remained static rises in Strabane (7.3 per cent) and fell in Limavady (7.1 per cent to 7 per cent).

The rate of dole claimants in Londonderry (7.7 per cent) is now 0.8 percentage points higher than the 6.9 per cent it was at the beginning of 2010.

The figures are detailed in the latest labour market report published by Trade Minister Arlene Foster.

The report states: “The highest rates at February 2011 were in Derry (7.7 per cent), Strabane (7.3 per cent), Limavady (7 per cent) and Belfast (7 per cent).

“Those that showed the highest percentage increase in levels over the year to February 2011 were Armagh (14.6 per cent), Ards (13.2 per cent) and Newry & Mourne (12.3 per cent).”

Meanwhile, the Minister also released new figures for November 2010 - January 2010 that showed that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate - a different measure from the claimant count rate - increased over the quarter to reach 8.0 per cent.

More recent figures for February 2011 showed that the number of unemployment benefit claimants increased by 300 from the previous month’s revised figure.

The total number of employee jobs in Northern Ireland was estimated at 692,910 for December 2010, representing a fall of 1,880 over the quarter.

Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: “There was a rise in unemployment during the latest quarter and the Northern Ireland unemployment rate (8.0 per cent) is now equal to the UK average rate (8.0 per cent).

“The latest jobs figures for the last quarter of 2010 also recorded a fall in Northern Ireland employment levels, with the Construction sector bearing the brunt of the latest job losses.

“However, it was encouraging to note the continued improvement in the Northern Ireland manufacturing sector. Manufacturing jobs have now increased for three quarters in a row, indicating that the potential for growth exists, if companies can continue to develop their customer base through the provision of high quality products and services.

“It is clear that trading conditions remain difficult following the recession and it will be some time before the recovery is translated into new employment opportunities and improved labour market conditions.”

The Minister continued: “I have taken decisive action to prioritise my uncommitted budget, in order to target jobs promotion, tourism promotion and investment by business in Research and Development.

“£19million has been ring-fenced for the Short-Term Employment Measure scheme, and additional funding has also been secured to enable Invest Northern Ireland to support existing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitments.

“As a result, Invest Northern Ireland can increase its overall jobs target, as originally outlined in its draft Spending Proposal, from 7,500 to 10,000 and create opportunities for the local economy.

“As part of the Independent Review of Economic Policy, we will be making some significant changes to how we support businesses in Northern Ireland. I will be making further statements on this to the Northern Ireland Assembly next Monday.”