Mr Hague heads growing campaign to keep BT jobs

Workers and union bosses at the BT depot in Northallerton have stepped up their campaign to keep the site open as its future hangs in the balance.

Mr Hague has written to BT's chief executive Sir Peter Bonfield in support of the workers.

In his letter he has emphasised the impact it would have on Northallerton if the depot was to be closed and all 180 jobs lost.

BT has confirmed the future of the depot is under review but has stated a decision will not be made until December.

However, earlier this month the company told the workforce it was to be cut by ten and asked for volunteers to work elsewhere in the company, including a new depot in Leicestershire which could take over the work done at Northallerton.

This sparked fears that the depot had already been earmarked for closure.

Earlier this week, Mr Steve Catterall, national executive member for the Communication Workers' Union, said the union was in talks with BT over delaying the cuts.

He said: "We are very disappointed at the company decision to announce a reduction in jobs, bearing in mind the on-going review of Northallerton's future.

BT has stated that the future of the depot and the job cuts are being handled separately and in a letter to Mr Hague, chief executive Sir Peter Bonfield has confirmed that a number of options are still being looked at for the site.

He also told Mr Hague: "Our people at Northallerton and their trade union representatives have already been fully briefed about the reasons for and the scope of the review but I can nevertheless understand the natural anxieties that our people are feeling.

"We have committed to a full consultative process with our people and the unions which represent them and I would like to emphasise that no decisions have been taken at this stage."

Vale of York MP Miss Anne McIntosh has also written to Sir Peter as well as the Secretary of State for Industry, Mr Stephen Byers, and the regional director of BT in York expressing concern.