A Lanarkshire MSP has called on OVO Energy to rethink its decision to close their office in Cumbernauld.
Tory Graham Simpson spoke at a member’s business debate in the Scottish Parliament this week, telling them that the move put hundreds of jobs at risk..
Mr Simpson’s call follows the announcement by OVO Energy in January that they are seeking 1700 voluntary redundancies and closing a number of offices, including in Cumbernauld, Perth and Dunfermline.
The company, which employs 6200 workers across the UK, had promised that there would be no redundancies when it acquired SSE’s retail arm back in January 2020.
However, they intend to reduce their number of offices from 10 to three and will instead open an ‘OVO Academy’ in Glasgow.
With up to 600 jobs under threat at Cumbernauld, Mr Simpson has demanded that OVO rethink their decision to make cut-backs.
He told Lanarkshire Live : “It’s a very worrying time for OVO staff in Cumbernauld and other offices. I have spoken to some and it is clear that for some there are real difficulties in moving their job to Glasgow.
“The debate in parliament highlighted a number of points. One of the important ones was that moving an online/app-based service does not serve customers well.
“It is easy for big companies like OVO to forget that they are only as good as their staff. They need to look after them, so I would urge them to think again.”
In a letter to staff, Adrian Letts, the boss of Ovo's retail business, said: "Whilst it is regrettable to be reducing roles across the business and we understand this will be an uncertain time for many, we will fully support all our employees as this process develops over the coming months.
"We are engaging with our recognised trade unions to ensure all receive the right information and support."
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