Ballymena jobless total stands at 1,236

According to the latest figures from the Department of Enterprise, the claimant count in the borough now stands at 1,236, compared to 1,275 in February.

Wards within the borough registering the most claimants for unemployment in March were - Ballykeel with 101 claimants (102 in February), Dunclug with 99 claimants (96), Ballee with 93 (104 claimants in February), and Castle Demesne with 89 claimants (a non mover with 89 the previous month also).

The lowest claimant count last month was to be found in both Ballyloughan and Craigywarren each with 16 claimants, compared to 19 and 25 claimants the previous month.

The jobless total also fell province wide with the claimant count down by 1,000 over the past month as the local economy continues its recovery.

It marked the 27th consecutive month in which a fall has been recorded in this measure of unemployment.

However, the claimant count rate in Northern Ireland was still the highest among the 12 regions of the United Kingdom, at 5.1% compared to the average 2.3%.