SELBY MP Nigel Adams is calling for more local businesses to take on an apprentice, after new research revealed the extent of the benefits.

Every time a local company hires an apprentice, their bottom line gets an average boost of £1,972, according to research commissioned by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)

Last year, 920 people started an apprenticeship in Selby and Ainsty, meaning local businesses were boosted by around £1,814,000, the research showed many small businesses miss out because they do not know enough about how apprenticeships work.

Mr Adams said: “If they don’t have one already, every local business in Selby and Ainsty should consider employing an apprentice.

“By giving young people a chance, they will also be boosting their bottom line. The benefit here of £1.8m has made a real difference to the local economy, and that’s just from apprentices who began last year.”