Politicians seek meeting with energy firm over cuts

Politicians are calling for a meeting with the bosses of OVO after they announced they are axing 1,700 jobs and shutting its Perth site.

The energy firm is launching a voluntary redundancy programme to slash around a quarter of its workforce, and plans to cut its offices to just three in London, Bristol and Glasgow.

So far OVO has declined to comment publicly on the news of its closure, but it is understood around 700 people are employed by the energy company in Perth.

Politicians representing the Perth area are now calling for action to be taken to help support those affected by the announcement.

Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, says he is disappointed as OVO had suggested when they took over the Perth site in January 2020 they would be investing and developing the office.

He said: “I am very concerned with this announcement from OVO and job losses on this scale will have a massive impact on the labour market in Perth.

“I know that energy firms are operating in a very challenging commercial environment just now, but we cannot forget the number of commitments that OVO made to Perth and to the former SSE workforce when they took over at Inveralmond.

“I am therefore very disappointed that instead of developing the Perth plant as they suggested they would, it is to be closed down instead.

“I am seeking a meeting with OVO and I hope to get clear answers as to what exactly has gone wrong.”

Both of Perthshire’s constituency MSPS have contacted OVO to try to arrange for a meeting to find out more about exactly what is going to happen, and what support is going to be offered to those

affected by the closure in the city.

Perthshire North MSP John Swinney said: “I am currently reaching out to OVO management in order to better understand the reasons behind this decision, and will be seeking to meet with them to discuss the potential implications for local OVO workers.”

Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP Jim Fairlie said: “I am actively seeking a meeting with OVO to discuss these developments and I will do everything I can to secure the best possible outcome for my constituents.”

The Scottish Tories are seeking a meeting with OVO bosses and are calling on the Scottish Government to step in and help Perth employees as well.

Murdo Fraser, who represents Mid Scotland and Fife, said: “OVO has said they will operate voluntary redundancies and that staff will either be allocated to the three remaining sites – a new hub in Glasgow, Bristol or London – if they live within 30 miles of one of these.

“However, Perth staff won’t be able to move to any of these sites, so we will be asking the Scottish Government what support they will be offering to the OVO employees in Perth.”

Fellow Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith said: “This is awful news for Perth and for OVO staff who work there.”

John Swinney MSP, left, and Pete Wishart MP.