POLITICIANS from Times Territory are calling for reassurances over jobs, ahead of a merger between two mobile phone giants.

Uncertainty remains over the future of T-Mobile’s 3,000-strong workforce at its UK headquarters in Hatfield Business Park, ahead of the company’s merger with Orange next year.

Richard Howitt, Labour MEP for the East of England, and Mike Hobday, Labour parliamentary candidate for Welwyn Hatfield, met T-Mobile managing director Richard Moat to discuss the future of the company in Hatfield.

Mr Howitt said: “This merger was agreed at European level and as an MEP I will continue to champion Hatfield, while myself and Mike will continue to press them to consult us and the public.”

Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps has also met company directors, and said: “It’s absolutely right that we keep an eye on how the merger develops and press home the benefits that Hatfield has as a place to do business.”

A T-Mobile spokesman said: “We welcomed the opportunity to talk to meet with Richard Howitt, Mike Hobday and Grant Shapps, and we’ll continue to keep in close touch with them over the merger with Orange.”