BOLTON MP Ruth Kelly has welcomed the merger of two catalogue giants which should secure 1,225 local jobs.
She had worked with constituents on a public interest case put to the Competition Commission in favour of the merger of ShopDirect and Littlewoods.
She hailed the decision to allow the move as the best way to safeguard jobs in the ultra-competitive home shopping sector.
The Bolton West MP said: "This announcement is a great result for the staff at both firms, who have been living with uncertainty for many months now.
"Many employees wrote to let me know of their concerns and I am pleased to have been able to help achieve a successful outcome."
Sir Bill Connor, general secretary of Usdaw, which represents staff at ShopDirect, said: "We are very grateful to her."
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