A scheme which provides housing and support for young people in Basildon has been praised by a Euro MP.

Richard Howitt, MEP for the East of England, visited Swan House Foyer, in Southview Road, Vange, to speak to apprentices who have benefited from its facilities.

The foyer provides supported accommodation for single people aged 16 to 24.

Mr Howitt met three apprentices who worked for Swan Housing as a support worker, customer service assistant and IT specialist respectively.

The politician has campaigned successfully for the European Union to allocate extra funds to combat youth unemployment in the UK.

He said: “Improving the working conditions and employment rights of people, and helping lower rates of youth unemployment are key policy areas for Europe in the next five years.

“I’m here to meet local people, including Swan residents, who are benefiting from the association signing up as a living wage employer, as well as some of those who have taken up the offer of over 20 new apprenticeships within Swan and its suppliers in Essex in the last year.

“The living wage, training and apprenticeships make a huge difference to those living and working locally and helps to make the town a fairer place.

“The hard work and support that Swan provide here in Basildon for young people, and especially young women and single parents provides me with excellent examples of good practice to inform future European help.”

Swan Housing executive director, Mary Gibbons, said: “We are delighted Richard Howitt could join us to see and hear about the differences Swan is making to lives in the Basildon area.

“Swan is incredibly proud of both foyers and the young people who we support through them “It’s a privilege to be able to play a part in the success of our service users in moving towards independence and taking control of their lives.”