JOBS at a North-East based government department have been saved after the Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced changes to the Public Lending Right (PLR) body.

Although the organisation will no longer exist the majority of jobs will remain in place at Stockton when the British Library takes over control of the scheme to ensure authors receive payment for the loans of their books.

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey today (Wednesday, March 27) confirmed that the day-to-day operation of PLR will remain in Stockton.

The shake-up will result in the loss of the registrar’s post but the work will continue to be administered by current staff.

Welcoming the decision, Stockton South MP, James Wharton, said: “My primary concern has always been to see the office in our town protected. It is a small office with low overheads, and I have seen at first hand the efficient work of the dedicated team who work here in Stockton.”