THE MP for Central Devon Mel?Stride has welcomed a fall in long-term unemployment – people claiming unemployment benefit for over a year.

Figures released last week show a 30% drop across the UK in long-term unemployment in the past twelve months, with a 46% drop for those aged 18 to 24.

In Mr Stride's constituency the figures were higher – with respective drops of 38% and 57%.

Mr Stride said: 'Long-term unemployment more than doubled and long-term youth unemployment more than tripled under the last Parliament (2005-2010).

'I'm very pleased long-term unemployment in my constituency has dropped by more than a third in the last year alone, with the Government's reforms giving people the tailored support they need to find work again.'