GENERAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Construction industry prospers

Business Post – 11.08.2020

Construction activity has increased for the second month in a row, according to the Ulster Bank construction purchasing managers' index. A seasonally-adjusted index designed to track changes in total construction activity rose to 53.2 in July, up from 51.9 in June. Readings above 50 signal an increase in activity on the previous month and readings below 50 signal a decrease.

Unemployment rate drops

Business Post – 06.08.2020

The country‘s unemployment rate fell to 16.7 per cent in July, from 23.1 per cent in June, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. The figures indicate that as many as 386,935 people were unemployed last month. The total includes those claiming the government’s temporary pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) but it is hoped that many of these people will return to work once the economic restrictions to curb the virus are fully lifted.