It has emerged that 150 jobs are likely to be lost at energy giant SSE’s headquarters in Perth.
The firm announced a shock cull of posts across the UK last month in a bid to offset the freezing of household energy prices until 2016.
Concerned local politicians have now met bosses and been assured that the losses will be evenly spread across operations.
It is also likely that they will all be covered by voluntary redundancy.
Following a visit to SSE’s Perth base, Roseanna Cunningham MSP said the fact SSE employed 2,200 in Perth made it an “ extremely important employer in Perthshire” and concerns were raised that Perth might be hardest hit.
“We were informed, however, that it’s anticipated the posts shed will be distributed on a roughly pro-rata basis across all sites, which of course means that in Perth were are looking at losing around 150 posts,” she said.
SNP colleague Pete Wishart MP said he was “relieved” losses would be met through voluntary redundancy, adding: “I hope that we can soon get to the stage where this important employer is once again growing its employee numbers.”
Staff will be told by the end of May who has been selected for voluntary redundancy. Those leaving will do so by July.