East Ham MP Stephen Timms met people who had started up their own businesses after a period of long-term unemployment to ask them what led to their success.

The Shadow Employment Minister spent around an hour at A4e’s office in Stratford Office Village on Romford Road on Thursday (July 11) to speak to the new entreprenueurs.

Among them was David Yates, 40, from Leyton, who was out of work for 12 years after he turned to drink and drugs following a personal tragedy in 2001.

But now he has followed his passion and runs his own business creating and selling lifelike models of famous sci-fi characters.

David said: “Now I am doing what I love and I have found a creative outlet for all my emotions. I don’t need the drink and drugs anymore.”

Mr Timms added: “I enjoyed my visit. I met a number of local residents who are setting up their own businesses, and they are very clearly receiving very valuable support from A4e’s Newham team.”

The Department for Work and Pensions refers the long-term unemployed to A4e as part of its Work Programme which is in its third year.