Remploy

North Lanarkshire Council is to step in and take over the leasehold on the former Remploy factory in Wishaw. The Netherton manufacturing and packaging plant was axed with the loss of 24 jobs – including 20 disabled workers – last summer. Now the council’s Beltane Products, which has 23 disabled employees, will move into the empty factory.

The minister for Disabled People, Esther McVey, has issued a ministerial statement about the stage 2 Remploy businesses.

My predecessor Rt Hon member for Basingstoke wrote to you on 7 March regarding the Government's response to the Sayce Review and the forthcoming changes affecting Remploy.

A £2.4m scheme has been announced for employers in Wales who give jobs to former Remploy workers for at least four years. The Employer Support Grant will contribute towards wages and "all other reasonable costs" which arise from employing a disabled worker.

It was announced by Education Minister Leighton Andrews after the UK government confirmed five Remploy sites in Wales will close. At least 183 jobs are expected to go. The sites closing include Aberdare, Abertillery, Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea and Wrexham.

The Government has announced details of a Community Support Fund to support those individuals affected by Remploy closures. Financial assistance is available to not for profit organisations across Great Britain to make a positive difference to the lives of the disabled individuals and families affected by Remploy factory closures.

Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller has confirmed the closure of 27 Remploy factories. The future of 9 hangs in the balance following a decision to accept business plans for nine of the threatened sites. Miller issued a ministerial statement giving some detail on the bids received and proposals to support workers whose jobs will go.

Workers at Remploy's factories have voted in favour of strike action following the decision to close 36 of the factory sites.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber will tell the TUC's Disabled Workers Conference that disabled workers are being hit more than other groups by the coalition's austerity cuts.

Remploy has published details of the commercial process for anybody wishing to express an interest in any of their businesses or factories following the Government announcement to withdraw funding.

Remploy is set to close 36 of its 54 factories by the end of this year following the publication of the Government's response to the Sayce Review. Over 2600 people are employed within Remploy's factories, including 2200 disabled workers, and 1700 may be affected by the proposed closures. The remaining 18 factories will face further uncertainty, possibly influencing whether customers stick with them, until decisions are made about their transfer out of Government control.

The Welsh Government has announced a partnership with Remploy to create work opportunities for disabled workers. The 'proof of concept' pilot - set up through the 'xchangewales programme' will see workers carrying out invoice scanning services for Welsh public sector organisations.