About 70,000 new businesses have been set up by unemployed people with the help of a Government scheme, new figures show.
The Department for Work and Pensions said the North East had seen more businesses started than in any other area of Britain, followed by Central England (13,310), London and the Home Counties (12,790) and the North West (10,610).
Benefit claimants qualify for grants and help from a business mentor under the New Enterprise Allowance scheme. 
Employment Minister and Witham MP Priti Patel said: “Through this scheme, we’re helping to unlock the talent and entrepreneurialism of the great cities in the North and Central England, with these areas showing the highest number of jobseekers turning a big idea into a business.”
“Starting up in business successfully needs so much more than just funding – it needs the right support and advice at the right time, and we’re doing just that through the New Enterprise Allowance scheme.”