Dole queues stretch again in NI's worst unemployment blackspot

The city posted the highest rate of dole claimants at 7.7 per cent of the resident working age population in September - up 0.1 percentage points from the previous month.

The latest figures from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETINI) show the highest claimant count rates at September 2010 were in Londonderry (7.7 per cent), Limavady (7.1 per cent) and Strabane (7 per cent).

Those that showed the highest percentage increase in levels over the year to September 2010 were Newry & Mourne (26.3 per cent),

Banbridge (20.5 per cent) and Armagh (16.6 per cent).

Figures for September showed an increase of 500 over the month in the number of unemployment benefit claimants across Northern Ireland as a whole.

Output from the Northern Ireland Services sector rose by 0.4 per cent during the second quarter of 2010, compared to a 0.6 per cent increase in the UK.

However, output from the Northern Ireland Production sector fell by 0.5 per cent during the same period, while UK output increased by 1.0 per cent.

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: "Although the figures for June-August 2010 showed little change in the Northern Ireland unemployment rate, more recent figures for September 2010 showed a further rise in the number of people claiming unemployment benefits, which highlights the ongoing impact that the recession has had on the Northern Ireland labour market.

"However, it was encouraging to note the increased output in the Northern Ireland Services sector during the second quarter of 2010. This is the third consecutive quarterly increase in the series and mirrors the pattern in the UK Services output.

"The latest increase reflects the improved performance of the Business Services & Finance sector in particular.

"Against this, the Northern Ireland Production sector showed a decrease in output of 0.5% during the second quarter of 2010.

"It is disappointing that the output gains from the first quarter have not been maintained and the latest fall means that Production output has remained relatively flat compared to this time last year."

The Minister continued "The figures released today highlight the fragile state of the recovery in Northern Ireland and, given pressures on government expenditure, it is clear that the recovery must be led by the private sector.

"Fostering economic growth is a key priority of the Northern Ireland Executive. The Executive Sub-Committee on the economy will continue to work on developing an economic strategy and will be consulting shortly on their framework for action.

"We will seek to secure from the UK Government the necessary policy levers to grow the dynamic and innovative economy."