Construction industry main driver in North unemployment rise

The continuing collapse of work in the construction industry was the main driver in an increase in unemployment claimants in the North, which was one of the biggest in more than 20 years, government figures showed today.

The number of people signing on for unemployment benefits increased in the last month by 1,100, bringing the total to 30,300 and back to the same level it was at nearly four and a half years ago.