Increase in rate of unemployment

The city once again posted the highest rate of dole claimants in the province.

According to the latest figures from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETINI) the percentage of working people claiming social security here rose by 0.1 percentage points from 7.3 per cent to 7.4 per cent.

In Strabane the amount of dole claimants decreased from 7.3 per cent to 7.2 per cent. Londonderry once again posted the highest rate or jobseekers claimaints in the whole of Northern Ireland. The rate in Limavady over the month remained static at 7.1 per cent.

Elsewhere the areas that showed the highest percentage increase in levels over the year to March 2010 were Castlereagh (61.7 per cent), Newry & Mourne (48.4 per cent) and Newtownabbey (40.5 per cent).

Data released last week for the period November 2009 - January 2010 recorded a small fall in the Northern Ireland unemployment rate (6.3 per cent) over the quarter.

This is in comparison to the period August - October 2009 when the unemployment rate was 6.5 per cent. More recent figures for February 2010 showed an increase of 100 over the month in the number of unemployed claimants.

In addition, the number of employee jobs fell between September and December 2009. However, this was the smallest decline in the series since June 2008.

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: "Figures for the final quarter of 2009 showed a fall of 2,890 in the number of employee jobs in Northern Ireland, with the Construction and Service sectors accounting for the majority of the fall. While these job losses are very disappointing, the decrease in the last quarter is less marked than in earlier periods.

"More recent figures from the February 2010 claimant count indicate slower growth in the number of people claiming unemployment benefits this month.

"The latest monthly increase of 100 claimants compares favourably to last month's revised increase of 900 and is considerably lower than the average monthly increase of over 1,100 during 2009.

"Growing the Northern Ireland economy remains the number one priority for the Executive and I remain committed to strengthening the conditions needed for growth.

"Businesses have already shown considerable flexibility in response to the recession and today's difficult trading conditions provide yet more evidence of the need to further improve business competitiveness.

"If companies continue to develop greater market awareness and product innovation, they will be able to seize the opportunities that the global upturn will undoubtedly bring. This will ultimately ensure future employment opportunities for the people of Northern Ireland."