NI unemployment rate at its lowest since 2008

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Northern Ireland stood at 34,000 in October

Unemployment in Northern Ireland is continuing to fall, the latest government figures suggest.

The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits fell by 700 in October to 34,000 - the seventh consecutive monthly decrease.

Northern Ireland's unemployment rate is 5.6% against the UK average of 4.8%.

Economy minister Simon Hamilton said it was "positive news" adding: "Our unemployment rate is now the lowest it has been since October-December 2008."

Economy Minister Simon Hamilton says the latest labour market figures are a positive decrease

ANALYSIS

The headline official figures show an ever greater proportion of people in work in Northern Ireland.

The employment rate is touching 70% - its highest since 1995.

But year-on-year, there has been a swing away from full-time jobs.

7,000 fewer people are in full-time employment.

But the number of part-time workers is up by 30,000 and temporary workers up by 10,000.

Two in every three of the additional part-time jobs were filled by women.

One economist believed the headline figures "conceal" a rise in the unemployment rate among men.

Ulster Bank's chief economist Richard Ramsey says male manufacturing job losses have been offset by a growth in female workers in other sectors

Richard Ramsey, chief economist of Ulster Bank, pointed out on Twitter it has risen from 6.2% to 7.3% within the past year.

He said it may mean that manufacturing job losses - predominantly male - were being offset by a growth in female workers in other sectors.