Labour MPs in Nuneaton and Coventry claim unemployment has tumbled since their party came to power, with young people doing particularly well.

Nuneaton MP Bill Olner has released figures showing that the number of people on benefit and looking for work has fallen from 2,008 in May 1997 to 1,176 last month.

There has been a 76 per cent drop in the equivalent figure of long-term unemployed for those who fall into the New Deal programme.

The change means that according to official figures there are just 49 people aged between 18 and 24 who have been out-of-work and claiming for six months or longer in Nuneaton.

Coventry South MP Jim Cunningham said figures released by Employment Minister Tessa Jowell showed that 3,140 young people and 2,215 long-term unemployed had benefited from the New Deal in the city.

Mr Cunningham said:

“Arming young people with the skills and the experience they need to enter the world of work is essential.

“By equipping them properly, we are not only helping them, but the employers that take them on.”

Mr Olner added:

“A 41.4 per cent drop in Nuneaton’s unemployment level under Labour is fantastic news and proof that sound management of the economy and strong policies to move people off welfare and into work are really making an impact.

“We now have a national record level of employment and the employment rate in every region of the UK is above the European Union average.”