THE MP for Central Devon has welcomed the news that the number of young people not in education, employment or training is at its lowest levels for a decade according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Mel Stride MP said: 'In the last few years many young people suffered as businesses across the country tightened their belts and were reluctant to take on new staff. In the last 18 months this has begun to turn around and to now have the lowest number of young people not in education, employment or training since 2003 is fantastic news.

'There's no doubt that the drop in youth unemployment is primarily down to young people working hard to find a job, going into further education or pursuing alternative options like apprenticeships. However, I also think the Government's welfare reforms have made it much less attractive for the small minority who have considered benefits to be a more attractive option than working.'

The figures also showed female employment at an all-time high, and the overall unemployment level fall by 0.3% in the last three months of 2013. In the Central Devon constituency unemployment has now dropped to 1.6%, well below the national average of 7.4%, and down from 2.2% two years ago.