Praise for McDonald’s as it gets set to serve up 2,500 jobs

In Yorkshire, there will be 260 new posts – 30 per cent of which will be for first-time workers.

The news comes after last week’s jobs figures showed one in 10 people in Yorkshire unemployed; nationally, more than one in eight is out of work.

David Cameron and Nick Clegg welcomed the announcement and praised the company for its record on staff training.

The Prime Minister said: “I am delighted to welcome McDonald’s announcement of new jobs.

“McDonald’s has a great record in investing in the UK and providing excellent training, apprenticeships and opportunities for its staff.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, visiting a McDonald’s training centre in north London to meet people there, said: “It is fantastic news that McDonald’s is creating 2,500 new jobs in the UK and that over half of these posts will go to young people.

“McDonald’s has an excellent reputation for developing its staff with training and apprenticeship programmes.

“This invests valuable time and resources to help young people, with little or no experience in the world of work, to develop their skills and confidence.

“In the end, that gives young people a terrific opportunity to move up within the company, or use their experience and training to move into other jobs.”

He added: “It’s a telling fact that half of McDonald’s current board have progressed from the shop floor to the top floor, having started their careers serving customers in the restaurant.”

The new jobs build on the 13,500 posts McDonald’s has created over the past three years and take the UK staff count to 90,000.

Gary Williamson, chief executive of Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said: “With youth unemployment at a 17-year high, this announcement is great news for the local economy and evidence that private sector job creation is taking place.

“McDonalds’ investment in apprenticeships and Foundation Degrees ensures that those recruited don’t just gain a job, but also vocational skills and experience which will be valued by many other employers”.

Jill McDonald, chief executive officer of McDonald’s UK, said: “Despite these difficult economic conditions, our continued emphasis on good quality food at affordable prices, and improving the experience for our customers and our people, has meant that we are able to continue to invest in the business and create jobs.”