Business groups warn of ‘high streets emergency’ as jobless total soars by 6,000 in NI since start of March

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) says the redundancies were concentrated in retail, hospitality, manufacturing and transport - which have all been badly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Companies are required to notify the government when they plan to make more than 20 people redundant.

There were 1,904 redundancies proposed in July, following almost 2,500 in June. A further 163 were proposed between August 1-10.

The number of confirmed redundancies (3,112) in the most recent 12 months was 74% higher than in the previous 12 months (1,785).

Christopher Morrow, Head of Policy at Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber), said the statistics were “further evidence of the damage being done to the labour market by the coronavirus pandemic”.

He added: “The furlough scheme has been successful in preserving thousands of jobs here but recently just over half of our members told us that they will be reducing staff numbers post Covid-19.

“Businesses here continue to face increased costs, reduced demand and diminished cash reserves meaning unemployment is likely to surge especially as the furlough scheme winds down - unless action is taken.

“There is still a lot of uncertainty for businesses at the moment, both with the pandemic and also with Brexit looming, that unless some effective support package is put in place then these figures will get a lot worse.

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts added: “Over the past few weeks, I have visited numerous towns and cities in Northern Ireland, speaking to local retailers, who have told me of just how bad the situation is with dozens of businesses facing likely closure. Given the growing number of retail outlets closing as a result of Covid-19, this is no longer a high streets crisis - it is a high streets emergency.”

“Retail NI has successfully lobbied for the establishment of a High Street Taskforce to co-ordinate a comprehensive recovery plan.

“We also need Governments in Belfast and London to agree a ‘Marshall Plan’ of stimulus and recovery for our high streets, villages, towns and cities before irreversible damage is done to our local economy.”