The number of people claiming unemployment benefit increased in March, according to the latest statistics.
The seasonally adjusted March Live Register shows the total number of claimants increased from 155,900 in February to 159,000 in March, an increase of 3,100.
Despite the increase in March the overall trend indicates conditions are improving in the labour market. In the 12 months to March 2005 there was a seasonally adjusted fall of 11,000 in the register.
The standardised unemployment rate in March was 4.3 per cent based on the latest quarterly national household survey .
The Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment as it includes part-time and seasonal workers entitled to unemployment assistance or benefit.
Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey and the latest seasonally adjusted figure, for September to November 2004, is 86,900 persons unemployed.