Mid Ulster jobless tally doubles

The number claiming unemployment benefit in parts of Mid Ulster has more than doubled since this time last year, according to new figures.

In the Magherafelt District Council area, 633 people are now claiming the benefit compared to 236 last year - an increase of 168%.

There have also been increases of more than 100% in Cookstown and Dungannon.

Across Northern Ireland, unemployment benefit claims in November have shown the sharpest monthly rise for 28 years.

The number of claimants increased by 3,100 last month to 34,100, the largest monthly increase since October 1980.

One-third of job losses were in the construction industry, but the government said other sectors were also being hit by the economic downturn.

The figures from the NI Statistics Agency show that the north west has the highest levels of unemployment in Northern Ireland.

The worst unemployment rate is in Strabane District Council, with 5.3%, or 1,273 people of working age unemployed.

Within the Derry City Council area 5%, a total of 3,448 individuals, are out of work.

In Limavady Borough Council, 4.8% of people, or 1,044, are unemployed - an increase of 98% since this time last year.