Forres based space launch company Orbex is entering administration, prompting calls for urgent government action from local representatives.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey MP Graham Leadbitter said the decision places around 160 jobs at risk and criticised the UK Government’s handling of funding.
Graham Leadbitter said:
“The responsibility for this lies squarely with the UK government who have allowed a company that employs world-leading expertise to fall into administration after they pulled vital funding that would’ve secured the company’s future.
“My immediate concerns are with the 160 employees at Orbex whose jobs are at risk, and it’s vital that all public organisations step in to support the workers through what will be a difficult time.
“I’ll work with governments of all spheres to not only maintain employment in the area, but ensure we can keep high skill jobs in this community.
“But all of this was avoidable, the UK government has long talked up the need to develop sovereign launch capabilities but has yet to match their rhetoric with action.
“In fact in this case they’ve directly contradicted their own words by sabotaging the future of Orbex.
“I’ll be making urgent representations to the UK government to find out exactly why they pulled critical funding, and demand they step in to support the company and it’s workers at this time.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead also responded to the news.
Richard Lochhead said:
“The news of Orbex entering administration and the potential loss of so many jobs in Moray is a huge blow for the highly skilled workforce and the local economy.
“Orbex had huge potential to be one of the companies set to play a key role in the European Space Agency’s launch programme, but to get to that stage these deep tech companies require public support.
“The UK Government, which holds the key purse strings must invest in and support companies like Orbex if it wants to achieve satellite sovereignty.
“As Moray’s MSP I am now seeking meetings with the administration, HIE, and Scottish Government Ministers to see if a way forward can be found.”
Orbex has confirmed it is seeking to appoint administrators after failing to secure new investment, with efforts ongoing to explore options for the future of the business.
