Alliance caution on jobless figures

3.38.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Sep 2007

Alliance Economy spokesperson Cllr Ian Parsley

New Alliance Party Economy Spokesperson Ian James Parsley has welcomed a further dip in unemployment, but expressed caution about underlying employment levels.

The North Down Councillor stated: "This new unemployment low gives our economy a feel-good factor, whose importance should not be underestimated as we play catch-up with our neighbouring regions.

"However, the underlying figures do not look quite so rosy. We have the lowest official unemployment in the UK, but also the lowest economic activity rate. Furthermore, too many of our jobs remain in low-value sectors, and this limits the prospects of long-term growth.

"The underlying trends are all pointing in the right direction. But it will take continued innovation in all sectors to ensure they stay that way, and we must recognise we still have a long road ahead of us to become the sustainable economy we want to be."

ENDS