Nandy joins BT workers' jobs protest

Lisa Nandy MP has joined BT workers protesting outside the Labour Conference against plans to close the company's Liverpool office and relocate about 600 jobs.

BT is due to shut its Old Hall Street office in March 2027 when the lease runs out.

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said the government was trying to find a resolution to keep the jobs in Liverpool. She said workers were doing an "outstanding job" and that keeping the roles in the city would support Liverpool's ambition to become a "world leader in telecommunications".

BT said the changes were part of a wider programme to "bring more colleagues together in fewer, better-equipped locations".

The Labour MP told BBC Radio Merseyside she was supporting the Communications Workers Union (CWU) members, some of whom she had known for many years.

"I know for many this isn't just a job, this is a vocation. They deliver an outstanding service to people from all over the country and here in the Liverpool City Region.

"The mayor Steve Rotheram has a vision and has put in an investment to make sure Liverpool becomes a world leader in telecommunications.

"I've already had discussions with BT about the proposal to relocate jobs to Manchester and other parts of the country.

"People who are here are doing an outstanding job and we are really keen to find a resolution to make sure these jobs can stay here in the Liverpool City Region."

She said: "We are really sympathetic to the fact that BT has significant cost pressures. It is a very challenging market and a very challenging time for businesses and they are doing an outstanding job to help create and protect jobs here in the UK."

However the Wigan MP continued: "This is people's families, it's their jobs, it's their lives. but it is more than that.

"There is a vision here about Liverpool being a world leader in telecommunications. There is a huge amount of investment going in from Steve Rotheram, the mayor, and an amazing ecosystem that is building up.

"We believe as a government it is better for these jobs to remain here in the Liverpool City Region and that is why I have come down here today to show my support to the workers who are fighting to keep these jobs here in Liverpool."

Carl Webb, from the Communications Workers Union, said it was really important to stop the plans.

He said the loss of 600 jobs would have a "massive knock-on effect" on the local economy: "BT has been in Liverpool for a long time, many people have worked for the company for a long time and they're doing some specialist jobs."

Caroline Gillies, CWU branch secretary, added: "There's no reason for them to exit Liverpool whatsoever."

"These people have been loyal to the business. We've got people who have done over 40 years service and they've built their lives and their careers around BT."

A BT Group spokeswoman said: "We recognise the ongoing concerns raised regarding the proposed changes to our Liverpool office and we take these seriously. Our priority is supporting impacted colleagues.

"We are working hard to ensure that colleagues will be able to relocate to other BT offices in the North, including Manchester and Leeds, and we continue to work closely with our teams on the options available to them.

"These proposed changes form part of BT's wider programme to modernise its estate and bring more colleagues together in fewer, better-equipped locations that are designed for the future of the business. We can confirm that no customers or services are affected."

They added: "We continue to engage with unions, local representatives and MPs, and remain committed to supporting our people throughout these proposed changes."

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