And the finance sector continues to be the driver of the economy, being responsible for employing nearly 500 more people, an increase of 4%, at the end of June compared with 12 months earlier. The public sector workforce also rose by 200 people – mainly in health, the prison and the police. The figures also show that the number of J-category workers has risen considerably – from 800 to 950 by the end of June. The Council of Ministers will this week receive a key report designed to predict future population growth, but it is not expected to be made public for some weeks. The report had been due six months ago.

