Jobless rate now at 4.2%

The number of people on the Live Register decreased from 157,200 in January to 155,900 in February, a decrease of 1,300. This compares with a decrease of 800 in February last year.

In the year to February 2005 there was an unadjusted decrease of 14,478 (-8.4%). This compares with an unadjusted decrease of 13,986 (-8.0%) recorded in the year to January 2005.