DROITWICH'S MP wants more people to take advantage of a scheme to get back into work - after figures revealed less than 20 jobseekers a year are taking advantage.

Nigel Huddleston, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, says the town could benefit from the 'New Enterprise Allowance', which helps the unemployed start their own businesses.

People willing to give it a go get a business mentor to develop their idea, and once they start trading they receive an allowance totalling £1,274.

The money is paid in instalments for 26 weeks before it ends, giving a small trader the chance to succeed or fail on their ideas's own merits.

We have examined Government data revealing how 70 people in Mid-Worcestershire have been helped since 2011 from it, including just 21 in Droitwich.

Mr Huddleston says he believes the policy is a good one, and says more residents should consider it to help drive the numbers of unemployed down further.

Across some other constituencies in the UK more than 200 people have signed up to it - totalling 73,000.

"It is of course great news that 70 people in Mid-Worcestershire have been helped to get off benefits and start their own business, but I would hope that this figure could grow over the coming years." said Mr Huddleston.

"The allowance has helped more than 73,000 people across the country set up businesses and in some constituencies getting on for 200 people have been supported by the scheme.

"The claimant count in Mid-Worcestershire is on a downward trajectory but with 542 people still relying on jobseekers’ allowance we need to be looking at innovative ways to get this figure down and get these people in work.

"I am sure there are many people out of work who have great ideas to start their own business but, as is so often the case, just don’t know that the support is out there.

"I would be happy to meet with any of those people still looking for work and offer any support I can."

The Department for Work and Pensions has now launched a review, being carried out by businesswoman Michelle Mone, of how the Government can support more people from disadvantaged communities find work.

Among the UK's best performers for people taking up the scheme outside of London are Norwich and Southend, with both having 220 businesses launch from it since 2011.