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Rise in NI unemployment figures Huge increase in NI unemployment
(about 2 hours later)
The annual increase in unemployment in NI during 2008 was the largest since 1971, according to government figures. NI has suffered its biggest annual rise in unemployment in 37 years with the construction industry accounting for a large part of the increase.
The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits increased by 1,800 last month, which was smaller than the November statistics. Over 12,000 additional people claimed unemployment benefit in 2008 compared with 2007. The total number of unemployed is now almost 36,000.
People claiming benefits increased by 1,800 last month, which was smaller than the figure for November.
The construction industry accounted for 44% of the rise in claimants.The construction industry accounted for 44% of the rise in claimants.
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said the rising number of claimants was "reflecting the continuing impact of the economic downturn". The downturn was particularly acute in the final six months of the year with 10,000 new claimants since June.
"There has been an increase of 10,000 over the last six months, including an additional 1,800 over the month to December 2008," she said. The Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, said the figures reflected the general economic picture.
"This has been a rapid change over a relatively short period of time and there is still a degree of uncertainty about the severity and potential duration of the downturn. "This has been a rapid change over a relatively short period and there is still a degree of uncertainty about the potential duration of the downturn.
"While the challenging economic conditions are a global phenomenon, we shouldn't forget that this is a difficult time for the individuals and families concerned." "While the challenging economic conditions are a global phenomenon, we shouldn't forget that this is a difficult time for the individuals and families concerned," she said.
Meanwhile, a financial services company has said it will create 40 jobs in an expansion in north Belfast. Meanwhile, a financial services company is to create 40 jobs in north Belfast.
Prestige Insurance Holdings is taking over 22,000 sq ft facilities at Jennymount Business Park. Prestige Insurance holdings said the jobs will be mainly financial advisory roles relating to insurance claims.
The jobs will mostly be in financial advisory roles, relating to insurance claims.