Further rise in NI jobless total

Over 46,000 people are looking for work in Northern Ireland

The latest unemployment figures have shown another rise in the jobless total in Northern Ireland.

Labour Force Survey (LFS) figures revealed on Tuesday that the number claiming job seeker's allowance in Northern Ireland now stands at 46,100.

The figure marks a rise of 2,000 in the past month.

During the last year, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate has increased from 4.6% to the latest figure, 6.1%.

Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "Unemployment levels in Northern Ireland have continued to rise, as the global recession continues to impact on our local economy.

"We have not been alone in experiencing a deterioration in labour market conditions.

"Most UK regions and EU countries have also recorded large increases in their unemployment figures. However, the current Northern Ireland rate remains below both the UK and European Union averages."

Seasonally adjusted estimates for the period January to March 2009 showed that there were 756,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland.