Work programme 'has seen success' - Mark Hoban

Government figures assessing the success of its welfare-to-work programme show the main target has been missed.

Firms and charities are paid to help find jobs for the long-term unemployed in the hope of helping 2.4m people.

But official figures showed only 3.53% of people found a job for six months or more - missing the 5.5% target.

Employment Minister Mark Hoban told BBC News that the programme was still in its infancy but there had been good progress in challenging circumstances.