Unemployment in Northern Ireland has fallen to its lowest level in 24 years, according to figures released yesterday by the British government. The North's Economy Minister, Mr John McFall, welcomed the announcement.
Last month, the number of those out of work fell by 1,400, bringing the unemployment rate to 6.1 per cent, according to seasonally adjusted figures. That is 4,800 down on three months earlier and 7,600 down since the start of the year.
There are now 46,900 people jobless in Northern Ireland. The unemployment rate has not been as low since December 1976. Long-term unemployment decreased by 4.3 per cent over the month to reach 18,576 - more than a third of the total number of unemployed.
It has fallen by 26.8 per cent this year. Youth unemployment fell by 3.8 per cent last month to reach 13,353 - more than a quarter of all those unemployed. It has decreased by 17.2 per cent over the year.
Mr McFall said: "While these figures are all very encouraging, I am aware that there are still challenges to be faced. We know there are a further 63,000 people in Northern Ireland who would like to work but for a variety of reasons are not actively looking for a job at present."
However, some areas of Northern Ireland still remain economic blackspots. Strabane has the highest unemployment rate at 10.8 per cent; Derry stands at 9.8 per cent, and the jobless rate is 9.1 per cent in Newry. By comparison, the unemployment rate is lowest in Ballymena (5.2 per cent); Craigavon (5.2 per cent) and Dungannon (5.4 per cent).