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| Huge increase in NI unemployment | |
| (1 day later) | |
| NI has suffered its biggest annual rise in unemployment in 37 years with the construction industry accounting for a large part of the increase. | NI has suffered its biggest annual rise in unemployment in 37 years with the construction industry accounting for a large part of the increase. |
| Over 12,000 additional people claimed unemployment benefit in 2008 compared with 2007. The total number of unemployed is now almost 36,000. | 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. | 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. |
| The downturn was particularly acute in the final six months of the year with 10,000 new claimants since June. | The downturn was particularly acute in the final six months of the year with 10,000 new claimants since June. |
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| BBC NI's Business Correspondent reports on the latest unemployment figures | |
| The Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, said the figures reflected the general economic picture. | The Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, said the figures reflected the general economic picture. |
| "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. | "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," she said. | "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 is to create 40 jobs in north Belfast. | Meanwhile, a financial services company is to create 40 jobs in north Belfast. |
| Prestige Insurance holdings said the jobs will be mainly financial advisory roles relating to insurance claims. | Prestige Insurance holdings said the jobs will be mainly financial advisory roles relating to insurance claims. |