HC Deb 01 March 1990 vol 168 cc306-7W
27. Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the level of unemployment.

Mr. Needham

At 11 January 1990, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 100,413 unemployed claimants in the Province, representing 14.2 per cent. of the work force. Seasonally adjusted unemployment, which gives a better indication of trends, has fallen by an average of 1,100 per month during the past six months and is now at 14 per cent., which is its lowest level for over seven years.

30. Mr. Ron Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current rate of unemployment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Needham

The latest unemployment figures for January 1990 show that there were 100,413 persons claiming unemployment benefit in Northern Ireland and this represented 14.2 per cent. of the total work force. The seasonally adjusted figure, which gives a better indication of trends, is at its lowest level for more than seven years and shows that the strong underlying downward trend in unemployment in the Province is continuing.

36. Mr. Stevens

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are currently self-employed in the Province and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Needham

The most recent estimate derived from labour force surveys and the June agricultural census is that at June 1989 the number of self-employed in Northern Ireland was approximately 70,000.

51. Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are unemployed in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Needham

At 11 January 1990, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 100,413 persons darning unemployment benefit in Northern Ireland.