Encouraging signs from economic indicators

Unemployment is at its lowest level this year, according to Manx government figures released today (Thursday).

Statistics from the Treasury show that during April the number of people out of work fell by 48 to 843.

That equates to an unemployment rate of two per cent, with 601 men and 242 women looking for jobs.

The hardest hit categories are hospitality, retail and skilled construction workers.

Also released today are the Manx government's latest inflation figures, which show no change in the annual figure, of 6.7 per cent, during April.

The annual rate not counting housing fell from 7.6 per cent in March to 7.2 per cent last month, while inflation measured using the Consumer Prices Index fell from 6.6 to 6.4 per cent.

Data from the Treasury shows the main categories with the biggest price rises over the last year were tobacco and fuel and light, both up around 12.5 per cent.

Oil costs, listed as a sub-section of fuel and light, have risen by 27.5 per cent.