Figures show further drop in jobless total

The Department of Employment's Monthly Labour Market Report reveals that during May Newtownabbey's unemployment total showed a decrease for the second month in succession.

According to the government's latest statistics, the borough's jobless figure stood at 2,026 last month - 1,561 men and 465 women. That represents a drop of 52 (2.5 per cent) on the previous month, but still a rise of 247 (13.9 per cent) over the past year.

The number of confirmed redundancies within the borough for the year to May 31 was 105, the report states.

The percentage of the borough's working age population out of work and claiming unemployment benefit has now dropped to 4 per cent - the sixth lowest figure of Northern Ireland's 26 local council areas.

Across Northern Ireland, the figures for February - April recorded a rise in the unemployment rate to 6.9 per cent. And the number of people out of work during May stood at 55,500, representing an increase of 100 from the previous month.

The Northern Ireland unemployment rate remains below the UK (7.9 per cent), European Union (9.6 per cent) and Republic of Ireland (13.2 per cent) averages.

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "This remains a difficult time for people in Northern Ireland, as it will take some time before any economic recovery can be translated into sustained jobs growth and employment opportunities."