Ulster Unionist Economy spokesperson, Sandra Overend, has welcomed the positive trend indicated in the latest unemployment statistics, but has said that much work is still required, especially to support the struggling construction industry.

The Mid Ulster MLA said: "Whilst the latest labour market figures are only an indication of unemployment in Northern Ireland, I very much welcome the drop in the unemployment rate which now stands at 7.8% and on a par with the UK average. It is also encouraging that the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits has fallen by 800 over the last month. However, the reality is that there are still 63,000 people in dole queues across Northern Ireland and much work therefore remains to be done. There is also some alarm at the recent inflation figures which suggest that it is now at its highest level since 2012.

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"Further to that I remain particularly concerned about the number of young people aged 18-24 who are unemployed with that figure still stubbornly high at 18.5%. We must ensure that our young people have the opportunity to flourish and I look forward to scrutinising the roll out of the United Youth Programme in that regard.

"Lastly, the Construction Bulletin for the First Quarter of this year has been published and shows a disparity in the recovery of the sector in Northern Ireland when compared with Great Britain. We need more government support for the construction industry with additional funding given to infrastructure projects. Good news has been forthcoming with the recent announcement of the £40 million Magherafelt Bypass by Ulster Unionist Minister Danny Kennedy but other schemes, such as the A26 Dual Carriageway, should also be given a funding commitment by Finance Minister Sammy Wilson."

(CD/JP)