Cookstown in top three districts for decrease in jobless

Latest figures from the Department of Trade and Investment show that the number of claimants fell by 290 (28.9%) from January 2014 to January 2015.

Only neighbouring Dungannon recorded a higher percentage decrease, 31.8%.

The total number of claimants presently in Cookstown District Council area stands at 713, 456 males and 257 females.

Magherafelt, like all 26 district Council areas, enjoyed a fall in the number of claimants over the past twelve months.

The figures show that there is 296 fewer claimants than in January 2014.

The claimant total for January this year is 905 (602 males, 383 females).

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster said: “The decrease in the unemployment rate, alongside the continued decrease in the Northern Ireland claimant count is encouraging.

“The number of claimants has fallen in each of the last 25 months, which is the most sustained decrease since the series began.

“The Northern Ireland unemployment rate (5.7%) is the same as that for the UK (5.7%) and it continues to compare very favourably to the November 2014 rates for the European Union (10.0%) and the Republic of Ireland (10.7%).”

Arlene Foster added: “The last month has seen continuing evidence of job creation and significant investment in business for Northern Ireland.”