4500 redundancies proposed by employers in Northern Ireland since June

By Q Radio news

Almost 4500 redundancies were proposed by employers here in June and July, with a further 163 put forward since the start of August.

That brings the annual total to the highest on record.

Most of these came in the retail, hospitality, manufacturing and transport sectors.

The number of people in work between April and June 2020 has fallen by 7000 over the quarter - currently standing at 870,000.

The figures are the latest on employment from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

The number of people in work in Northern Ireland between April and June was 870,000 - a decrease of 7000 over the quarter.

The new figures from @NISRA also show that 40% of those with jobs are working fewer hours than usual. pic.twitter.com/V0HOODen8D

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) August 11, 2020

The new stats also show that of those still in work, 40% say they're working fewer hours than usual. 

The unemployment rate increased slightly from 2.4 to 2.5%, with the unemployment rate decreasing over the quarter and the year to 71.7%

The employment rate decreased over the quarter and the year to 71.7%. Although recent changes were not statistically significant, the employment rate was significantly above rates in 2018. https://t.co/VEPEzpXbHS pic.twitter.com/dZHAanFcCI

— NISRA (@NISRA) August 11, 2020

The Chief Executive of Retail NI, Glyn Roberts, says the numbers are concerning.

Mr Roberts is also concerned that the situation will only worsen when the UK Government's furlough scheme ends in October.