Dole queues indict Executive: MLA

A LONDONDERRY MLA has accused the Executive of failing local unemployed workers as new figures show dole queues stretched right across the North West last month.

SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood said the failure of the Executive to give people the opportunity to build a life here was “a betrayal of our young people’s promise.”

He made the comments as Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster published the latest Labour Market Report for July 2012.

The new figures show that Londonderry remains Northern Ireland’s worst unemployment blackspot.

In July the percentage of resident working age people claiming the dole rose from 8.3 per cent to 8.5 per cent.

Unemployment also spiked in Strabane - from 7.2 per cent to 7.3 per cent - and in Limavady - from 6.9 per cent to 7.1 per cent.

“The highest rates at July 2012 were in Derry (8.5 per cent), Belfast (7.7 per cent), Strabane (7.3 per cent) and Limavady (7.1 per cent),” the report states.

“Those that showed the highest percentage increase in levels over the year to July 2012 were Banbridge (11.8 per cent), Carrickfergus (9.5 per cent) and Fermanagh (8.9 per cent).”

Mr Eastwood said the figures were an indictment of the DUP/Sinn Féin led mandatory coalition at Stormont, which also includes his party colleague, Environment Minister Alex Attwood.

He said the Executive needs to take responsibiliy for “our economic plight” of “meekly accepting economic direction from Westminster.”

Mr Eastwood said investment in social enterprises and creative industries would be one way to boost jobs here.

“The Green New Deal offers an abundance of opportunity for market growth. Investment in Social Enterprises and the Creative Industries would add further momentum to job creation.

“All of these initiatives should also be underpinned by a political direction to Invest NI to ensure regional economic equality,” he said.

“The choice is theirs,” he added. “Stormont’s leadership must now understand that the people of Derry will hold them accountable for the economic policies they are mandated to govern.”

Meanwhile, figures released for the period April - June 2012 show that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate - a different measure from the amount of working age dole claimants - was up 0.9 percentage points over the quarter at 7.6 per cent.

More recent figures for July 2012 show that the number of unemployment benefit claimants increased by 400 from the previous month’s revised figure.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: “While figures show that unemployment has increased over the quarter, the rate of unemployment in Northern Ireland (7.6 per cent) is still below the equivalent rates in the UK (8 per cent), European Union (10.3 per cent) and the Republic of Ireland (14.6 per cent).”

She said the disappointing figures need to be placed in the context of very weak external demand resulting from turmoil in the Eurozone and three consecutive quarters of falling output in the United Kingdom.

The Minister continued: “I believe there are many opportunities available for local businesses. That is why I have asked Invest NI to work with the wider business base in Northern Ireland and redouble our efforts to boost employment through initiatives such as Boosting Business and the Jobs fund.

“I would encourage local businesses looking to grow and create jobs to contact Invest NI on 0800 181 4422 for advice on what support might be available.

“There are many opportunities remain to be exploited in overseas markets, which has been clearly demonstrated by Wrightbus this week after it secured a £40million deal in Singapore. We need more local businesses to follow this path.”

She concluded: “My Department’s efforts remain focussed on achieving the type of structural change that is necessary to attain sustainable economic growth. “At the same time we will continue to provide meaningful support to businesses through a wide range of Invest Northern Ireland programmes tailored to meet individual business needs.”