Employment Minister Chris Grayling was in Bradford today to visit a company awarded a £94 million contract to help West Yorkshire jobseekers back to work.

Business Employment Services Training Ltd (BEST) was awarded the seven-year contract in June to deliver the Government’s Work Programme.

The Cheapside company, with seven Yorkshire offices, and another provider, are expected to support 108,000 long-term unemployed in the next five years by helping them find suitable jobs, building their core skills and monitoring their development once in work.

Conservative MP Mr Grayling spoke to local jobseekers at BEST’s offices to see how they are finding the programme.

BEST gets paid when people have successfully found employment and stayed in it for a certain amount of time.

Mr Grayling said: “I think it is very encouraging and there is obviously really positive support, both between the staff, and among those looking for work.”

Former security guard David Hirst has been out of work for two years. The 40-year-old, who lives in Manchester Road, said: “It is very encouraging. I am not very computer literate, but you only have to ask and the staff will help you. I have much more opportunity on this course. It inspires you to go out and find a job.”