THE NUMBER of people claiming jobless benefits in the North soared to 51,000 last month. Latest labour market statistics show the unemployment rate rose to 6.7 per cent between April and June.
The number of people out of work in Northern Ireland is estimated to be 54,000, an increase of 5,000 over the quarter but 19,000 over the year.
The increase in the number of people claiming jobless benefits, which jumped by a further 1,500 in Northern Ireland last month, is reflected in a gloomy unemployment picture across the UK.
The number of people out of work in the UK rose to 2.44 million, its highest level in 14 years, between the months of April to June. The overall UK unemployment rate during this period rose to 7.8 per cent.
Northern Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said rising levels of unemployment had become an “inevitable consequence of the current economic climate”.
“The fact that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate compares favourably to the UK and European Union averages will provide little comfort to those currently out of work,” she said.
The Minister said her department was committed to helping businesses survive the downturn.
She praised local companies which have won new orders. BA Components of Cookstown, Co Tyrone, yesterday announced it had won a contract worth £7.5 million (€8.7 million) with a major trade-only kitchen supplier.
