Bell welcomes further decrease in jobless figures

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits now stands at 38,700, having fallen by 26,000 since the most recent peak in February 2013 and 11,000 over the.

However the figures show that while employment rate (68.8%) increased over the quarter and the year to September – November 2015, economic inactivity decreased over both periods to 26.7%.

“The figures published today contain positive messages across a range of key labour market indicators,” said Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell.

“In particular, following reductions in unemployment over the medium term, I welcome the evidence of an increase in the proportion of people in work. While there is some indication of a reduction in economic inactivity, it remains to be seen whether this will continue in future.

“At 5.9%, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate continues to compare very favourably to the October 2015 rates for the European Union (9.3%) and the Republic of Ireland (8.9%),” he added.

“Despite the good news in today’s figures, there is no room for complacency and I will continue to do everything I can to promote economic growth.“It is important that local companies, with the continued support of my department and InvestNI, seek opportunities for research and development and expansion into new markets in order to improve competitiveness and create new job opportunities for local people.”