Unemployment in Northern Ireland has gone up by another 3,000, government figures revealed today.
The latest Labour Market Report showed 34,000 registered as unemployed - a rise from 3.8 per cent to 4.2 per cent in the rate for the three months October to December 2007.
The increase followed a 6,000 rise in unemployment reported last month for the September to November quarter.
One the plus side, the numbers actually in work rose again by 1,000 to 781,000 over the quarter and 9,000 on the year.
However the working age employment rate for Northern Ireland of 69.8 per cent, down 0.1 per cent over the quarter, is the lowest in the UK and well below the national average of 74.7 per cent.
The long term unemployment rate - those out of work for more than a year - has reduced by 9 per cent over the year, but still stands at more than a quarter - 26 per cent.
But the number of young people unemployed - the 18-24 year-olds - has risen by 4 per cent to 11 per cent over the past year, according to the report.
The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits rose by 200 to 23,800 - but was down 2,300 on the year.
Commenting on the figures, economy minister Nigel Dodds said: "Despite a slight rise in unemployment levels this quarter, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate remains well below the European union average. It is the second lowest among the UK regions.
"The Northern Ireland rate has been maintained below the 5 per cent mark for three years now and this illustrates how our labour market has strengthened in recent years."
The aim was to build on that foundation and maximise the region's potential by encouraging greater labour market participation among the population, he said.
"Northern Ireland companies should expand and develop innovative products and services, to be able to compete in new markets and create high value-added, quality jobs to sustain employment growth for years to come," said the minister.
PA