Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Unemployment rate hits an all-time low of 2.3%
..but caution urged as 16% of part-time staff want more hours
NORTHERN Ireland’s job market has continued to confound with the number of people out of work hitting an all-time low despite a relatively weak economic picture.
Data from the Statistics and Research Agency revealed a sector in rude health with the unemployment rate falling to just 2.3% of the working age population.
That is well below the UK average of 3.8% and significantly better than the 5.3% reported in the Republic and the 6.3% unemployment rate in the European Union.
Unsurprisingly, the number of jobs which companies have created has also hit a record high of 782,670.
An impressive 15,520 roles were created this year and the latest increase means the job market has added jobs for 15 consecutive quarters.
However, while the numbers paint a rosy picture, it may be masking underlying issues,
Grant Thornton chief economist Andrew Webb said: “When a jobs market reaches these heights two questions are typically posed – is this full employment and can it last?
“Unfortunately, the answer to both is no. A measure of true labour market
THE Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF) has launched its annual competition to find the country’s best housekeeping teams.
The awards, which are celebrating their 10th year, recognise and celebrate the contribution that cleanliness plays in sustaining Northern Ireland’s thriving hospitality industry.
The winners will be announced at an awards dinner in the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick, Co Antrim, on March 11. tightness is the extent to which part-time workers would like more hours and the extent to which there is potential labour within the current inactive population.
“The latest figures suggest 16% of parttime employees want more hours – the highest proportion since 2015.
Mr Webb also pointed to the number of economically inactive in Northern Ireland – people who are neither in work or actively looking for employment – which, while also at a record low of 25.9%, remained the highest of all UK regions.
He added: “There are many within that group that could be attracted into the labour market. So, while the unemployment rate suggests a very tight labour market, it may not be as tight as many might think.”
Pictured, front from left: Mal Metrustry (Ecolab), Janice Gault (NIHF chief executive) and Alan Blaney (Bunzl Rafferty Hospitality). Back from left, Kevin O’neill (King Koil Beds) and Stephen Meldrum (NIHF president).
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