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Remploy factory closures go ahead Remploy factory closures go ahead
(10 minutes later)
The closure of 28 of Remploy's 83 factories employing disabled workers is to go ahead, Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain has said. Twenty-eight of Remploy's 83 factories employing disabled workers are to close, Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain has said.
Ministers have said Remploy factories cost too much, but unions argue that the government is not doing enough to bring in business.Ministers have said Remploy factories cost too much, but unions argue that the government is not doing enough to bring in business.
The closures mean up to 2,000 jobs will be lost.The closures mean up to 2,000 jobs will be lost.
The government announced a £555m package in September intended to safeguard Remploy's future.The government announced a £555m package in September intended to safeguard Remploy's future.
The original plan was to close 43 out of the company's sites.The original plan was to close 43 out of the company's sites.
But after talks with unions, Remploy submitted "final proposals" to the government, which included the closure of 28 sites.But after talks with unions, Remploy submitted "final proposals" to the government, which included the closure of 28 sites.
Mr Peter Hain told the Commons the closure of some Remploy sites will cause "disappointment" but he said changes had to be made to secure the organisation's future.Mr Peter Hain told the Commons the closure of some Remploy sites will cause "disappointment" but he said changes had to be made to secure the organisation's future.
'Government failures''Government failures'
Trade unions have said none of Remploy's factories should close and argued that they could be expanded if the company's senior management team were replaced.Trade unions have said none of Remploy's factories should close and argued that they could be expanded if the company's senior management team were replaced.
Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union, said: "This announcement has angered Remploy workers and their supporters.Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union, said: "This announcement has angered Remploy workers and their supporters.
"This government-controlled operation has failed its people, its principles and its purpose."This government-controlled operation has failed its people, its principles and its purpose.
"These closures are completely unnecessary. If Remploy was called Northern Rock, I am certain that we would not be seeing a single redundancy.""These closures are completely unnecessary. If Remploy was called Northern Rock, I am certain that we would not be seeing a single redundancy."
Remploy wants to place more disabled workers in mainstream employment, and aims to quadruple the number of jobs it finds outside its factories to 20,000 a year within five years.Remploy wants to place more disabled workers in mainstream employment, and aims to quadruple the number of jobs it finds outside its factories to 20,000 a year within five years.