NORTH Oxfordshire MP Tony Baldry has called on the Government to train unemployed young people for major construction projects.

The move came after Mr Baldry was told that the migration advisory committee was considering relaxing immigration laws to allow unskilled building workers to enter the UK.

They would work on projects such as the Olympic sites and other infrastructure projects including the Crossrail tunnel in London.

But Mr Baldry believes employers should look closer to home and recruit from the growing number of under-25s out of work.

He has fired off a letter to Business Secretary Lord Mandelson urging him to work with colleges to provide construction courses aimed at getting young people into the jobs.

Mr Baldry said: “In my constituency, and I suspect throughout the country, one of the most pressing problems is that of young people under the age of 25 who are not in education, employment or training.

“Surely the Government and appropriate employers should be working with colleges across the country, such as Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, to provide immediate training courses in construction skills. With high levels of unemployment in the UK, and serious skills shortages, the answer must be to train UK citizens to fill the jobs that are needed.”