Ballymena at low end of benefit claimant scale

Unadjusted numbers as a percentage of the resident working age population show that Ballymena had one of the lowest percentage increases in claimant levels over the year to July 2010 at just four per cent.

Derry (7.3%) and Limavady (7.1%) had the highest rates, closely followed by Belfast (6.6%).

Ballymena currently sits at the opposite end of the benefit claimants league table on which it is fifth lowest out of the province’s 26 local authorities.

Figures released last week by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment for the period April - June 2010 recorded a decrease in the Northern Ireland unemployment rate to 6.6%.

More recent figures for July 2010 showed an increase of 800 over the month in the number of unemployment benefit claimants.

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: “The Northern Ireland unemployment rate fell marginally over the quarter to 6.6% for the period April – June 2010. This figure remained below the UK average rate of 7.8% and was also lower than the European Union rate of 9.6%.

“However, more recent figures for July 2010 showed an increase of 800 over the month in the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits. This latest monthly increase was the largest since the start of 2010 and compared to a fall in overall UK claimant levels.

“It has been well documented that those leaving full-time education have been finding it difficult to obtain permanent employment in Northern Ireland and this seems to be reflected in July’s claimant count results.

“It is also clear that the local labour market has been particularly hit by the fall out from the global recession. The annual increase of 6,000 in unemployment benefit claimants in Northern Ireland was the largest of the UK regions. “