The number of people signing on for unemployment benefits in Northern Ireland in the month to the end of November increased by the largest amount in 28 years.
Last month saw a rise of 3,100 to 34,100 in the numbers signing on. The overall total has now returned to a level last seen in November 2003.
The change had little impact on the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Northern Ireland which was estimated at 4.3 per cent for the period August to October 2008, almost unchanged from the previous quarter but up from the 4.1 per cent recorded over the same period in 2007.
Unemployment in the North remains below the UK average of 6 per cent and compares with an European Union average of 7 per cent.
Data released from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) this morning showed that the number of Britons out of work and claiming benefit rose for a 10th consecutive month in November and by the largest amount since March 1991, official data showed today.
The leap of 75,700 was much more than expected and took the total number of people claiming jobless benefit to over one million for the first time since 2001.
The ONS said the broader ILO measure of unemployment surged to its highest level since the three months to June 1999.
In a further sign of a weakening job market, the number of vacancies fell to its lowest level since records began in 2001.
Additional reporting Reuters