The concerns of young people from Norwich about how they could be helped to find work have been raised in the House of Commons.

Norwich MP Chloe Smith cited the comments of people from the city in an hour-long debate in the House of Commons about young job-seekers.

She told MPs about the comments of one young person from Norwich who said: 'Everyone is looking for experienced workers, but how are we to be experienced workers when nobody will give us that first bit of experience' before imploring employers to step in.

Ms Smith said the unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds had consistently been higher than for older age groups.

'Between six and seven hundred thousand young people are looking for a chance. How best to help young people? Firstly, grow the economy. Secondly, make connections. Thirdly, share good ideas,' she said.

The session came after a 'digital debate' was held on the social media website Twitter which she said had allowed people to dictate what was said in Westminster Hall.

She said that the recurring theme had been that Job Centres needed to become more positive in their approach.

Ms Smith, who spearheaded the Norwich for Jobs project, which saw a number of local organisations work with the Job Centre.

She said: 'When I set up the Norwich for Jobs project we set a goal of halving youth unemployment in the city in two years. We beat this target and I am confident that we have a model which can be rolled out across other constituencies as well.

'This is about encouraging local employers to create opportunities, connecting young people with those jobs, and focusing the community on a common goal.'