Employment levels in the Yorkshire region increased over the past three years and outstripped the national level, a new report says today.

Total employment has risen by 4.9 per cent between 2010 and 2013 in Yorkshire and The Humber, outperforming the UK average of three per cent, according to PwC’s annual UK Economic Outlook.

But the reports reveals that while more older people are in work, unemployment among 16-24 year-olds has continued to rise.

The report projects the region will see 1.9 per cent employment growth in 2014.

Arif Ahmad, office senior partner, PwC Leeds said: “These projected figures are positive news for the region after a period of disappointing growth in 2011 and 2012. And if our expected UK GDP growth is achieved it would make the UK the best performing of the large EU economies boosting confidence, both nationally and in our region.”