NORTH Oxfordshire MP Sir Tony Baldry has welcomed figures that show 9,700 young people in the South East have been helped off benefits.

Sir Tony, pictured, said: “It is great news that there are 9,700 fewer young people relying on Jobseeker’s Allowance in the South East than last year. This means that 9,700 more people are receiving a regular pay packet, learning a profession or getting the training they need to give themselves a more secure future.

"Of course there is still more to do, but these figures show the Conservatives’ long-term plan to fix the economy is working, getting people off benefits and into work – delivering a more secure future for young people in North Oxfordshire who want to work hard and get on in life.”