Joblessness in North falls to 1984 level

Unemployment in Northern Ireland has reached its lowest level since 1984 with 45,000 people out of work, according to the latest…

Unemployment in Northern Ireland has reached its lowest level since 1984 with 45,000 people out of work, according to the latest Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey.

The figures for June to August have been welcomed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey, who said they were evidence of the economy's steady growth.

The SDLP spokesman on Enterprise and Trade, Dr Alasdair McDonnell, welcomed the figures but said "The Training and Employment Agency must increase their efforts to ensure that long-term unemployed people can get opportunities to earn a decent living".