Selby is to receive special treatment from the Government because of the pit closures.
Government rules state that the employment service cannot assist workers until they are within three months of redundancy.
But Nick Brown, Minister for Work and Pensions, has agreed to set these rules aside in the case of the Selby coalfield.
Selby MP John Grogan welcomed the Minister's decision, which will help the 2,000 miners set to lose their jobs in Spring 2004.
He said: ""This will help not just them but will strengthen the Selby economy as a whole."
Updated: 16:22 Monday, November 04, 2002
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