Rural Payment Agency moves 350 jobs from Northallerton

A government agency is to close its office in North Yorkshire and transfer about 350 jobs to two other centres.

The jobs at the Rural Payments Agency's office at Alverton Court, Northallerton are moving to York and Newcastle.

The agency, which administers £2bn of Common Agriculture Policy cash paid annually to farmers, said it would do everything to ensure a "smooth transition".

A PCS union spokesperson said the closure would have a "massive impact".

The agency said individual meetings would be held with all staff about the move.

"All our people who are prepared to work flexibly have been guaranteed a job," the agency said.

However, the PCS spokesman said: "Quite a significant number of staff won't be able to move."