A government decision to close a further ten Remploy factories including another branch in the North East, has been described as “scandalous” by a local MP.
Catherine McKinnell MP condemned the move in the House of Commons, which will put nearly an additional 1000 disabled people out of work – despite figures showing that 90% of disabled workers sacked in the last wave of closures are yet to find new jobs.
The MP asked ministers to explain the decision, saying, “Of the 1,000 people who have already been made redundant, only 63 have found jobs. That is scandalous, particularly in the light of the news today that a further 875 jobs are now at risk.”
Speaking afterwards, Ms McKinnell commented, “Remploy factories were set up to help disabled people lead independent lives, but this government is pulling the plug without any plan to get employees back into work. Just 63 of the almost 1000 workers sacked in the last round of Remploy closures have found new jobs, but the government is pressing ahead regardless with ten new factory closures announced heartlessly in the run up to Christmas.
I have been contacted by constituents who worked at Remploy who have struggled to find the support required to find work following the closures and I am concerned that the news today will further devastate their situation.
With the economy flatlining and the government’s Work Programme a total failure leaving people more likely to find a job off the program than on it, this is a very difficult time for anyone looking for work. For people with special health needs it can be even harder.
Disabled people should be getting the support that they deserve from the government, not the sack.”