THE unemployment rate in the Island has increased to 2.3 per cent.

The figures for November show there are 971 people unemployed - 696 men and 275 women.

During the month 246 signed on and 185 signed off, a net increase of 61.

A total of 506 vacancies were notified to the Job Centre during the month and at the end of the month 223 positions were still vacant and held on file.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK said: "While I am disappointed with the increase I recognise that external conditions are conspiring to make this a difficult time for the economy and this is being reflected in the unemployment figures.

"Seasonal factors are also at play now, so we can expect the level of unemployment to rise further in the forthcoming winter months."

The unemployment rate was 2.1 per cent in October.