THE job centre in Ryedale is to be among the first in North Yorkshire to move to full universal credit - the new system of welfare payments - according to the Department for Work and Pensions.

From June 29 this year, all new applicants who would normally make a claim for any of six current benefits, including jobseeker's allowance, child tax credit or housing benefit, will now apply online for the new universal credit payment.

It also applies to current claimants who have a change in circumstances.

The job centre in Norton will join those in Harrogate and Richmond in transitioning to the full service.

A job centre spokesman said: "This is a really exciting time. On universal credit claimants will have one claim covering all the above benefits making it much simpler, they will be able to talk to their work coach digitally, as well as face-to-face and they will be able to view the same screens for their claim as their work coach.

"Claimants will also be able to digitally report changes in circumstances and access their account while on the move through their tablet or smart phone."

The number of people claiming out-of-work benefits in Ryedale has remained fairly static for the last year. The newly released figure for April 2016 is 265 claimants, up slightly from the previous month, with the largest proportion being those aged 25 to 49.

In the wider Yorkshire and Humber region, the claimant count, including those on universal credit, is at 71,600, about 13,300 claimants fewer than the previous year.

The job centre spokesman added: "Locally in Malton, we are working closely with Staffline Recruitment to support the staffing needs of Karro Foods, who are in need of production operatives and meat processing roles.

"Interested applicants should contact Staffline Recruitment who are on site at Karro on the Norton Grove Industrial Estate."