The number of people on the Live Register rose sharply again last month. Figures from the Central Statistics Office also showed that the unemployment rate moved up to 5.2% from 5% in January.
The seasonally adjusted Live Register rose by 8,500 from January to 187,900, the highest figure since August 1999. The headline figure showed a rise of just over 8,000 to 189,485, the biggest on record. The percentage increase of 4.7% in the month was the biggest since May 1980.
Males made up 7,000 of the increase, indicating that the slowdown in the construction industry is continuing to hit jobs in the sector. There were increases in all regions of the country, with the biggest a rise of 5.9% in the Midlands.
The Live Register is not regarded as a measure of unemployment, as it also includes part-time workers and seasonal workers entitled to benefits or allowances.
