Ovo job cuts devastating for staff and worrying for consumers

Concern as hard-working staff anxiously await their fate after energy giant Ovo announces 1,700 UK job losses

The government can no longer stand idly by and watch as the UK’s energy sector implodes, says UNISON South East, as it reacts to the news that 1,700 jobs are to go at energy giant Ovo.

UNISON South East regional secretary Steve Torrance said: “Hard-working staff across the company will be devastated as they anxiously await their fate. Closing offices will hit the economy in locations across the South East hard too.

“Staff have been dealt a cruel blow. Instead of worrying about star jumps, porridge and cat cuddles, Ovo bosses should have been spending time on the issues that matter. Axing so many public-facing roles will have a huge impact on customers.

“Unions will be pushing managers to hold on to staff and retrain them. Those in at-risk roles must become part of the huge energy-efficiency drive that’s necessary if net-zero commitments are to be met.

“But the government isn’t without blame. Its hands-off approach to energy regulation has been disastrous. Ministers need to roll up their sleeves and get involved before the UK’s entire energy sector goes under.”

Notes to editors:

-UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.