NI jobless numbers fall again for the 24th month in a row

THE dole queue in Northern Ireland is now at its shortest for two years.

Figures out today reveal that 15,000 less people are unemployed in the province compared to the end of 2012.

Last month, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell again by 900.

In December 2012, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit stood at just under 65,000.

The dole queue last month stood at 50,000.

It is the 24th monthly fall in a row and the figure has now fallen by about 15,000 over two years.

The Northern Ireland employment rate is below the UK average of 73% and is the lowest rate among the 12 UK regions.