Unemployment in Northern Ireland has fallen to a record low and is now equal to the UK average, figures released today revealed.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.7 per cent for the three months June to August, was down from the 5 per cent of the previous quarter.
Over the last three months the number of people claiming benefits has fallen by 800, though it was up 100 over the month to September.
The latest seasonally adjusted claimant count stands at 29,700 down 4,900 over the year.
Commenting on the figures, Enterprise Minister Mr Barry Gardiner said: "It is good news to see the continuing fall in unemployment. The current rate for Northern Ireland is the lowest on record and is now on a par with the average for the UK."
The Northern Ireland rate is also lower that four other UK regions London (6.9 per cent), the North East (6.0 per cent), Scotland (5.7 per cent) and the West Midlands (5.4 per cent).
Figures for industrial production over the second quarter of the year were also released today.
They showed that output levels had risen by 2 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2003, but were down slightly (-0.2 per cent), on the previous quarter.
Northern Ireland's increased production over the year, 2 per cent, was higher than the UK as a whole, which rose by 1.3 per cent.
The minister said: "Northern Ireland companies are operating in fiercely competitive markets.
"Our manufacturing sector in particular has been subject to the effects of low cost overseas competition. Just last week, Bombardier's announcement of redundancies illustrated the continuing global uncertainties in particular sectors."
PA