THERE are 200 fewer people unemployed than this time last year.

Treasury Minister Anne Craine MHK has welcomed the latest job market statistics which show the first August fall in registered unemployment in the Island for four years.

Total unemployment at the end of August was 771, a decrease of 51 during the month.

Mrs Craine said: "It would be wrong to pay too much attention to one month's figures, but in any event the trend in unemployment is most definitely downward. 

"There are now over 200 fewer individuals registered unemployed than there was this time last year.

"Treasury has a target of helping to keep the Island's unemployment rate to below 3.5 per cent this year.

"So far the economy is outperforming expectations, with the rate standing at just 1.8 per cent."