A RYEDALE jobcentre is to stay at its present location for at least the next three years.

However, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has indicated it is hoping to co-locate the Malton office, possibly with the district council, by 2020.

The announcement follows plans announced by the DWP to merge some smaller jobcentres with larger ones. Jobcentres and benefit centres are covered by PFI contracts, which are now coming to an end.

In the 20 years since these contracts were signed the welfare system has undergone large scale reform.

Malton Jobcentre is currently based in Norton Road, Norton, next to the railway station.

Damian Hinds, Minster for Employment, said: “At the time of the recent review of DWP estates, we were unable to announce the decision regarding the future of the Malton Jobcentre.

“However, DWP is now in position to announce that Malton Jobcentre will stay open in its present location, however we are hoping to co-locate the office, possibly with the local authority in the town, by 2020. We will always make sure that people have the support they need to get into and progress within work.

“These changes reflect the fact that more people access their benefits online resulting in many of our buildings being underused.

“We’re merging some offices and locating other jobcentres with local authorities to make sure that the welfare state and our employment support works for those who need it and those who pay for it.”

Nationally, 68 smaller jobcentres are to be merged into larger or underused ones nearby.

A further 40 jobcentres will be co-located with local authorities or other community services to provide joined-up services for the local community with all services in one place.