7.6% of workersare on the dole

The rate of dole claimants in Londonderry rose from 7.3 per cent to 7.6 per cent of the working age population in January with rises also recorded in Strabane (from 7 per cent to 7.3 per cent) and Limavady (from 6.8 per cent to 7.1 per cent).

The rate of dole claimants in Londonderry (7.6 per cent) is now 0.7 percentage points higher than the 6.9 per cent it was at the beginning of 2010.

The figures are detailed in the latest labour market report published by Trade Minister Arlene Foster.

The report states: “The highest rates at January 2011 were in Derry (7.6 per cent), Strabane (7.3 per cent) and Limavady (7.1 per cent).

“Those that showed the highest percentage increase in levels over the year to January 2011 were Banbridge (15.8 per cent), North Down (13.2 per cent) and Newry & Mourne (11 per cent).”

The Londonderry figure for January shows a marked worsening of the situation slipping back to within 0.1 percentage points of the 7.7 per cent recorded last September - after three months of improvement.

Meanwhile, the Minister also released new figures for October - December 2010 that showed that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate - a different measure from the claimant count rate - increased over the quarter to reach 8.0 per cent.

More recent figures for January 2011 showed that the number of unemployment benefit claimants increased by 600 from the previous month’s revised figure.

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster said: “The latest labour market indicators report an increase in the unemployment rate to 8.0 per cent.

“Clearly the Northern Ireland labour market continues to face significant pressures and the figures released today highlight the necessity of rebuilding the economy in the aftermath of the recession by developing employment opportunities.”

The Minister continued: “I am very aware of the pressures and strains that unemployment is placing on families throughout Northern Ireland.

“It is imperative that action is taken to ensure that those who are currently unemployed are provided with opportunities to return to employment.

“That is why, as part of the draft budget, we are working to introduce a Short-Term Employment scheme to help maximise employment opportunities.

“We must also work toward rebalancing the economy over the medium to longer term in order to ensure that the recovery is sustainable.”