The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Politicians condemn energy firm for ‘breaking promises’ to workers
OVO was accused of “breaking promises” as its plans to axe thousands of workers was condemned by local politicians.
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said the announcement was “devastating news” for Perth and stressed his concerns for the workforce in a call with OVO founder Stephen Fitzpatrick.
He said: “I reminded him that when OVO came to Perth it was in a blaze of reassuring publicity that they would be a dynamic and different type of energy company, who would challenge the operating model of the Big 6 energy providers.
“This announcement casts serious doubts on the commitments made to the workforce in Perth.
“OVO has stressed that they will try and make these job losses through voluntary redundancies where possible but I have serious concerns about whether this will be at all feasible in the current climate.”
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said the plans were “deeply worrying” and he had asked Jamie Hepburn MSP, the minister for business, fair work and skills, to ask that all appropriate support is offered to any affected workers.
He noted OVO had benefited from the furlough scheme and said: “I would encourage senior management to reflect upon whether cutting jobs is an appropriate way to repay such unprecedented levels of taxpayerfunded support.”
Scottish Conservative MSPs Liz Smith and Murdo Fraser, who both represent the Mid Scotland and Fife region, have slammed OVO, accusing the firm of “breaking its promises”.