THE NUMBER of people claiming jobless benefits has soared to 48,000 in the North, the highest figure in more than a decade.

Latest government statistics show the total claimant count rose by an additional 1,900 people last month, while the unemployment rate jumped to 6.2 per cent over the period February to April 2009.

The further rise in the number of people applying for jobless benefits represents the 15th consecutive month that the claimant count has increased in the North.

The total number of people out of work in Northern Ireland is now estimated to be around 49,000, this represents a rise of 3,000 over the last quarter and 16,000 over the year. It mirrors the general trend in the UK where unemployment hit a 12-year high of 2.261 million over February to April.

In contrast to the sharp upward trend in unemployment numbers the actual number of people in work in the North is now in sharp decline.

According to the latest labour market statistics the number of people in employment in the period February to April 2009 was estimated at 751,000. This shows a fall of 14,000 over the quarter and a decrease of 41,000 over the year.

The North’s Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said while the latest figures came as no surprise they still were disappointing.

“Global markets are continuing to adjust to the impact of the current downturn and we are still experiencing its negative effects.

“That said, our unemployment rate still compares favourably to the UK and European Union averages, though this will be no consolation to those currently out of work.”

Richard Ramsey, Northern Ireland economist with Ulster Bank, said: “Given the scale of economic inactivity in Northern Ireland, caution should be taken when comparing Northern Ireland’s favourable unemployment rate to the UK. Northern Ireland’s unemployment rate is held artificially low due to the high levels of ‘hidden unemployment’ within the economically inactive cohort.”