Ulster Unionist Economy Spokesperson, Sandra Overend, has expressed her concern at the latest unemployment data.
The Mid Ulster MLA commented;
‘’Another month has passed and the latest unemployment statistics continue to tell a depressing tale for the local economy.
There is little comfort in the fact that the unemployment rate has risen only slightly between October and December and that the monthly figure for those claiming unemployment benefit remained at 65,000 giving a claimant count rate of 7.1% in January 2013.
Once again it is very concerning that Northern Ireland is falling behind the rest of the UK where the UK wide claimant count fell by 0.8%. Over the year, the Northern Ireland claimant count has increased by 6.2% (3,800), compared to a decrease of 4.0% in the UK and the annual increase in Northern Ireland was the highest among the UK regions.
Too many people in Northern Ireland are being left behind and I reiterate my call for Arlene Foster to look closely at the approach her Department is taking to job creation and in particular to re-evaluate how we are implementing strategies and initiatives such as the Green New Deal, a more ambitious export strategy and maximising our tourism and creative industries.’’