The number of young people in work across Hounslow and Ealing has shot up in the last year, according to the latest employment statistics published today.

In Hounslow, there are now 3,469 people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance - down by 1,024, or 23 per cent, on this time last year.

The number of 18-24 year-olds claiming the benefit across the borough is 755 - a reduction of 290, or 28 per cent, in the last 12 months.

In Ealing, there are now 5,863 JSA claimants, 985 of whom are aged 18-24, a reduction of 27 per cent and 37 per cent respectively on this time last year.

Nationally, the number of people out of work fell below two million for the first time in almost six years, to 1.97 million, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

The UK unemployment rate is now six per cent and although a breakdown of this figure for different local authorities is not available, the claimant rate is a useful indicator of trends locally.

Bally Janagal, customer service operations manager at Jobcentre Plus Hounslow, said work experience had proved the path to full-time work for many claimants in Hounslow and Ealing.

"We're organising a lot of work experience for our claimants in retail, administration, hospitality and construction. We're also working closely with employers and partners at Heathrow to arrange opportunities," she told getwestlondon.

"Just last week 12 claimants gained work experience at a department store in Hounslow, giving them the skills and experience required to work in that sector.

"Only yesterday, an 18-year-old claimant signed off after the manufacturing company where he was doing work experience took him on as a full-time employee."

Ria Judge, of Whitton, is among those to have benefited from a work placement.

The 22-year-old travel marketing graduate started work experience this summer with the training provider learndirect in Hounslow after losing her job as a passenger ambassador at Heathrow.

Having gained vital experience in sales, administration, customer service and public speaking, she was offered a full-time role which she started on Monday.

"I got a 2:1 with a first in my dissertation but you need at least a year's experience to even be considered for an interview for most jobs," she said.

"Doing work experience with learndirect not only gave me lots of new skills, it also helped me build my confidence, especially having the opportunity to deliver presentations."