Borough’s unemployment level continues to rise

THE number of local people out of work and claiming benefits has increased by almost 10 per cent over the past year, it has been revealed.

The government’s latest figures show that Carrick’s unemployment level has risen by a staggering 9.5 per cent in the last 12 months - the second worst figure among Northern Ireland’s 26 district council areas. Only Banbridge (11.8 per cent) has recorded a higher percentage increase in claimant count levels.

According to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency’s August Labour Market Report, the borough’s jobless total stood at 1,196 during July - 795 men and 401 women. That represented an increase of 57 claimants (5.0 per cent) from the previous month, and a rise of 9.5 per cent (104 people) over the past year.

The percentage of the borough’s working age population out of work and claiming unemployment benefits now stands at 4.6 per cent, just slightly below the district council area average of 5.5 per cent.

“These figures are obviously disappointing, and because of their local effect it can be hard to see them as part of a wider economic problem. There is no doubt, however, that financial instability internationally and nationally continues to trickle down into our own towns and villages,” said East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson.

Read the full story in this week’s Times...