NI unemployment rate below UK average

While the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Northern Ireland increased by 600 to 61,500 in December, the unemployment rate actually fell by 0.1% in the last quarter of 2011, bringing it down to 7.2% and well below the 8.4% UK average.

Despite faring better than a lot of other regions of the UK in terms of the unemployment rate, Northern Ireland is has the second highest rate of benefit claimants. The forecast for employment levels in the country is still somewhat bleak, with economic inactivity at a high 27.2% compared to the UK overall figure of 23.1%, and with public sector redundancies in the pipeline.

Enterprise Minister for Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, recognised that there was still a lot of work to do, and endeavoured to generate more employment opportunities such as those created by the capital projects to receive funding from the Assembly, and expected to create over 2,500 jobs in the construction sector.

If you are an employer or employee in Northern Ireland and require legal advice in respect of a redundancy process, unfair dismissal claim, discrimination claim, or any other employment law matter, contact one of the employment solicitors at Wilson Nesbitt by calling 0800 840 9296.

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