Dole rate in Derry/Strabane still worst in the north

The unadjusted claimant count rate in Derry and Strabane fell from 6.7 per cent in December to 6.6 per cent in January.

The lowest claimant count rates were in Lisburn and Castlereagh (3.4 per cent) and our neighbouring districts Fermanagh and Omagh (3.8 per cent) nad Mid Ulster (3.8).

Significantly 8.8 per cent of working age men in Derry and Strabane District Council are now claiming Universal Credit or Jobseekers. The figure for women is 4.4 per cent.

SDLP economy spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin said the continued high level of unemployment in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area was disappointing.

In a speech to the Northern Ireland Assembly, proposing that the Executive agrees a Recovery and Investment Strategy, McLaughlin criticised the lack of focus on the urban areas in the greatest need and the highest unemployment.

She said: "If you look at the maps of deprivation and of joblessness across the North you will see clearly where the biggest problems of regional imbalance are. They are in Derry, in Strabane, in West Belfast and in North Belfast. The apparent failure of the ministers for the economy and of finance to recognise this reality shows the lack of perspective behind the decision-making process when considering how to ‘build back better’."

She urged the Executive to exploit the opportunities presented by the Protocol to open access to both the UK Internal Market and the EU Single Market and the potential for this to create substantial numbers of jobs.

McLaughlin pointed to advice published by Invest NI, which has told potential investors, “This dual market access position means that Northern Ireland can become a gateway for the sale of goods to two of the world’s largest markets and the only place where businesses can operate free from customs declarations, rules of origin certificates and non-tariff barriers on the sale of goods to both GB and the EU.

"This is a unique proposition for manufacturers based in Northern Ireland as well as those seeking a pivotal location from which to service GB and EU markets, recalibrate supply chains, or design, develop and sell products across key industries such as life and health sciences, aerospace, electronics & machinery, chemicals, consumer and agri-food goods.”

She said: "While I have repeatedly criticised Invest NI for not sufficiently promoting Derry and the North West, in this instance I congratulate Invest NI. It is now for the minister for the economy to similarly recognise the benefits of the Protocol and use it to help create more jobs."