GOVERNMENT employment supremo Damian Green has praised an MP’s efforts to get Keighley people into jobs.

He claimed Kris Hopkins’ annual job fairs had played a key role in halving the number of Keighley people on out-of-work benefits.

Mr Green, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, spoke after Mr Hopkins hosted his third Jobs and Careers Fair in the town.

Mr Hopkins arranged for 40 businesses and organisations to offer more than 200 jobs and apprentices during the one-day event.

Jobseekers and school leavers attended the free event, where they were able to speak to local employers across a wide range of business sectors, including manufacturing, engineering, health care, construction and financial services.

Following the event earlier this month at Keighley College, several businesses have already signed up for next year’s fair.

Mr Green said the jobs fair was a great example of how an effective Conservative MP could help improve the local economy and create a country that works for everyone.

He said: “I know Kris is committed to helping jobseekers find work and his jobs fairs have been a prime example of his efforts.

"All his jobs fairs have been successful and offer the ideal opportunity for people to find their first jobs, return to the world of work or change career and also gives local businesses the chance to see the great employees available."

Mr Green said employment was nationally at a record high, and the Keighley constituency had seen the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits fall by 1,354, or 57 per cent, since 2010.

He added: "I have no doubt Kris' jobs fairs have been a key contributor to these figures and I would urge as many jobseekers and businesses as possible to get involved."

Visit krishopkins.co.uk to find out how to get involved in next year’s jobs fair.