DENBIGHSHIRE'S work to help people into employment and tackle poverty was given the ministerial seal of approval during a visit to Rhyl.

Eluned Morgan, the Welsh Government Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, called at Rhyl Library to find out about Denbighshire County Council’s Working Denbighshire service.

Working Denbighshire is simplifying access to employment support for Denbighshire residents.

Projects such as OPUS, ADTRAC, Communities for Work and Communities for Work Plus provide support for residents aged 16 and over.

Ms Morgan said: “It was a pleasure to see how projects in Denbighshire are supporting people to gain the skills they need to achieve their potential.

"It’s really encouraging to see a rise in employment, but unemployment and economic inactivity are still issues in Wales. EU funded programmes such as Communities for Work, OPUS and ADTRAC and Welsh Government funded initiatives such as Communities for Work Plus show our commitment to tackling these issues.

“It is essential we support people most in need to achieve a prosperous future and there’s strong evidence that employment provides the most sustainable route out of poverty."

Cllr Mark Young, the council’s lead member for corporate standards, said: “I’d like to thank the minister for visiting Rhyl Library to see the work we are doing here in Denbighshire.

“Working Denbighshire aims to reduce poverty by helping people in their journey into or towards employment, and to maintain their position or to progress once in employment."