THERE ARE a record number of people in work in the North according to latest Government statistics which show the unemployment rate fell slightly in June to 4.1 per cent.
Northern Ireland, which during the Troubles was one of the worst unemployment blackspots in the UK, is now enjoying a lower jobless rate than most of its neighbours.
The average unemployment rate in the UK topped 5.2 per cent in June, while the jobless rate in Northern Ireland hit a nine-year high of 5.7 per cent last month.
According to the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment in the North, there are now 798,000 people in employment - the highest figure on record.
But although the jobless rate continues to fall in Northern Ireland, the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits is rising.
Last month, an additional 600 people signed on to claim jobless benefits.
This brought the total number of people receiving financial support because they are out of work to 25,700 in June.
There are likely to be more people claiming benefits next month also. The department also said it had received confirmation of 101 redundancies by Northern Ireland companies during June and of another 111 proposed redundancies.
Arlene Foster, the North's Economy Minister, believes the latest statistics show the Northern Ireland labour market is still performing well, despite the economic slowdown.
"Employment is still increasing and the unemployment rate has remained below 5 per cent for almost three years," Mrs Foster said.
She does admit, however, that some businesses in the North are now struggling and this could have a major impact on employment trends in coming months.
Research in Northern Ireland shows that output from production companies has fallen back, while companies operating in the service sector are also experiencing difficulties.
Mrs Foster said: "There is some evidence of increasing pressure in the production sector, reflecting the difficult trading conditions we face.
"Growth has also been slow in the service sector. This is not unexpected, given consumer concerns regarding economic uncertainty," the Minister added.
