AQW 21165/22-27

Mr Andrew McMurray
Alliance Party
South Down

Tabled Date: 22/01/2025
Answered On Date: 19/02/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of why the percentage of good jobs in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area has been decreasing since 2023, having previously followed a positive trend.

Answer:

The good jobs measure was designed to monitor three areas which are fundamental to all jobs: a permanent contract; non-zero hour contract; and earning the Real Living Wage or above. The decrease in the percentage of good jobs in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area between 2023 and 2024 is largely due to a reduction in the proportion of people earning at least the real living wage, from 80.1% to 75.7%, as reported from the 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.