Scotland: Perry says no to SE job cuts

It had been feared the economic development agency would axe a large number of jobs among its 2,600 workforce following a budget overspend in 2005.

But it is understood SE will seek to reduce its headcount through natural wastage with redeployment and non-replacement programmes.

The chief executive, Jack Perry, has also insisted that he never gave any serious thought to resigning, despite mounting attacks on his stewardship of the £500m-a-year agency.

Perry’s position was described as “untenable” by the enterprise committee chairman, Alex Neil, last week after a highly critical report by his committee.

Neil, who said he was speaking in a personal capacity rather than as the committee chairman, said he thought that Perry should take the blame for the agency’s failures.

The SE