MSPs express disappointment at OVO Energy announcement of job losses in Perth

MSPs Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith

Scottish Conservative MSPs Liz Smith and Murdo Fraser have both expressed disappointment on hearing of the job losses for OVO staff in Perth.

Earlier this week, the energy company announced that there would be 222 of its Perth employees taking voluntary redundancy, with the remainder of the staff working from home.

Commenting, Liz Smith, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “We haven’t heard of any compulsory redundancies among OVO’s Perth staff, but this is still bitterly disappointing news. It is a blow for local families and a blow to the Perth economy.

“While many OVO Perth staff will be working from home, this decision means the end of a presence at the Perth site, and seems sadly to be a sign of the times.”

And Murdo Fraser MSP, who also represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, added: “This announcement will be a big blow to the local economy, and means the Perth site will become vacant. Perth has had its share of sizeable sites being closed in recent years, so we will again ask if the Scottish Government will consider moving some jobs to this location.

“One positive aspect we do welcome here, is that fact that so many Perth OVO staff will continue to work from home, after we called for this to happen.”

 

 

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Murdo Fraser MSP

Murdo Fraser

Murdo Fraser was born in Inverness and studied law at Aberdeen University before practicing as a solicitor in Edinburgh. In the 1999 Scottish Parliament Election, Murdo stood as the Conservative candidate for North Tayside, and fought the constituency again at the 2001 General Election. He became a Member of the Scottish Parliament in August 2001 following the resignation of the previous List Member for Mid-Scotland and Fife, and was re-elected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2021. Murdo was Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservatives from November 2005 to November 2011 and has served as spokesman on Education, Health, Economy and Finance. Murdo was delighted to be re-elected in 2021 and is now Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Business, Economic Growth and Tourism. 
Liz Smith

Liz Smith

Liz Smith was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011, 2016 and in 2021. She is one of four Conservative Regional Members for Mid Scotland and Fife. Following her long-serving role as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, she became Chief Whip in February 2020. Following the 2021 election, Liz took over the role of Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy, now serving as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Public Administration, and chairs two cross party committees: those on Colleges and Universities, and Sport.