Unemployment rate eases its rise

Last month’s figure was up by just eight people overall which takes the figure to 979 - that’s a national rate of 2.2 per cent.

During the month, 225 signed on and 217 signed off. Of the total unemployed there’s still a major difference between men and women, with 713 being male and just 266 female.

The Job Centre advertised a total of 233 vacancies and by New Year there were still 93 available.