SDLP Jobs spokesperson and Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughn
The latest claimant count statistics continue to show Derry and Strabane to have the worst unemployment rate in the North of Ireland, at 6.7%.
Even more worrying, it is 8.8% for men.
Said the Foyle MLA: “Derry and Strabane continue to have the highest unemployment rate in the whole of the North of Ireland.
“It is 8.8% for men in Derry and Strabane – twice the male rate in Mid Ulster.
“While the rate is lower for women, it is still very much higher than anywhere else in NI.
“Stronger action is needed to address the persistent economic challenges faced in Derry.
“This is despite the great advantages we have in Derry, as a city with a young and friendly population and benefiting from the advantage of having open access to both the UK and EU markets.
“I am particularly keen to see Invest NI doing more to promote the North West.
“I am disappointed that an Assembly answer from Economy Minister Diane Dodds this week revealed that Invest NI brought only two potential investors to Derry and Strabane last year, compared to 19 in Belfast, with the Newry district also receiving just two visits.
“Much more needs to be done by Invest NI and the Department for the Economy to address regional economy imbalance.”
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