Unemployment rate rises to 4.8% in North

Unemployment rates in Northern Ireland have risen over the past three months, it emerged yesterday.

New seasonally adjusted figures revealed 4.8 per cent of the eligible population were out of work during February to April.

Although that was an increase of 0.2 per cent on the previous quarter, it was down from the 5.2 per cent total for the same period last year. The figures come against a backdrop of a higher-than-expected rise in the number of people claiming benefit across the UK.

The North's enterprise minister, Angela Smith, said: "These figures represent positive news for the Northern Ireland economy.

"The number of jobs are at a record high and unemployment levels remain close to their lowest ever levels."

Unemployment rates in the province are lower than three other UK regions: London, the northeast and Scotland.

The number claiming benefits across the UK rose for a fourth month in May, the longest stretch of increases in almost 13 years, as the closure of carmaker MG Rover spurred big job losses.

The Office for National Statistics said claimant count unemployment rose by 13,200, much more than the 5,000 expected, and April's rise was revised up to 10,800. But the jobless rate was just 2.7 per cent.