The number of jobless people claiming unemployment benefits in the North fell for the 25th month in a row during January to 48,200, according to latest government figures.

Latest labour market statistics released today also shows that the number of people out of work locally fell by 3,000 over in the three months to December 2014,

The jobless total settled at 50,000 while the official unemployment rate over the same period was estimated to be 5.7 per cent – exactly the same as the UK national average.

Overall in the UK the total jobless figure fell by 97,000 to 1.86 million between October and December of last year.

The North's Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said the fall in both the local unemployment rate and the decrease in the number of people claiming jobless benefits was "encouraging".

Ms Foster said new business investment by the likes of Randox, the Crumlin headquartered global diagnostics company, which last month announced a £29 million capital investment programme with the potential to create 540 jobs in the North, is helping to create more employment opportunities for local people.

New expansion projections by small indigenous firms such as the latest investment project announced today by Co Tyrone firm QMAC Construction, which will create 12 additional jobs, is also helping to regenerate the local economy.

But while there is evidence of job creation the latest labour market figures also show that between October to December of last year there was a fall in the number of people in employment.

The total number of people with a job in the North was estimated to be 815,000 which suggested a fall of 6,000 in employment over the quarter.

Ms Foster said Northern Ireland businesses remain vulnerable to “fluctuating” markets as illustrated by Bombardier’s decision this week to axe 130 jobs at its facilities in the North.