THE Craven area has 255 people searching for work or receiving the new universal credit says Mychelle Taylor of Skipton Jobcentre. The number had remained relatively stable recently having dropped from 391.
Job prospects in Skipton were buoyant with many local employers looking for recruits, she said.
"There are a lot of people looking to recruit staff and we are creating as many opportunities we can for our claimants.
"The new universal credit is more flexible. It's geared to each individual who has a dedicated work-coach. It's a much more simple system and more flexible and offers greater opportunities for people," she said.
It was being expanded in Skipton and Northallerton and was available to all types of claimants – people in and out of work, those on low incomes and those with disabilities. Previously it was available to new single jobseekers only.
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