Jobs under threat as Remploy announces factory closures
Dozens of disabled workers in the North West could lose their jobs as Remploy announces it is closing more factories.
Protest at plans to shut Remploy factories
Remploy workers in the Northwest are protesting against the planned closure of factories employing disabled workers.
300 disabled jobs could go
The government's recommended 7 Remploy factories close in the North West.
Live updates
Remploy closures 'disgraceful' says union
Three of the last remaining Remploy factories are to close, including one in Blackburn, threatening 160 disabled workers with redundancy, the company has announced.
Remploy said no viable bids had been made for its furniture business, so sites in Blackburn, Neath and Sheffield will close.
– Jerry Nelson, national officer of the GMB union"These job losses are the latest in a long line of disgraceful, ideologically driven decisions by this Government.
"There is an alternative. These workers could be put back to work making uniforms for our troops, police and nurses and furniture for our schools like they did before the work was outsourced to China.
"Sheltered workshops are allowed under EU procurement rules and can successfully keep disabled workers gainfully employed if supported by public contracts."
Blackburn Remploy closure 'devastating'
The TUC have issued a statement following Remploy's announcement about the imminent closure of the factories in Blackburn, Neath and Sheffield.
– TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady"It means that another 160 disabled workers will lose their jobs, with potentially devastating consequences for themselves and their families.
There are already far more jobseekers than vacancies in these areas so their chances of finding new jobs are slim, particularly as many employers remain reluctant to hire severely disabled people.
"The Government's withdrawal of support for Remploy factories continues to put hundreds of disabled people out of work and gives the lie to ministers' claims about supporting disabled people."
Advertisement
Blackburn Remploy to close
Three of the last remaining Remploy factories are to close, including one in Blackburn, threatening 160 disabled workers with redundancy, the company has announced.
Remploy said no viable bids had been made for its furniture business, so sites in Blackburn, Neath and Sheffield will close.
All 196 employees, including the 160 disabled workers, are at risk of compulsory redundancy, although they will be invited to consultation meetings over the next 30 days.
The company added that a potentially viable bid had been made for its automotive factories in Birmingham, Coventry and Derby.
Detailed negotiations will now be held to complete a transaction as soon as possible.
Jobs under threat as Remploy announces factory closures
Dozens of disabled workers in the North West could lose their jobs as Remploy announces it is closing more factories.
Read the full storyRemploy factory protest
Disabled workers at a factory in Birkenhead are protesting against plans to cut their jobs.
Seven Remploy factories in the North West are earmarked for closure.
The Birkenhead site is due to close on Thursday.
Interview with Remploy employee Brian Davies on the picket line in Wigan
Our reporter Tim Scott talks to Brian Davies, a worker on strike at the Remploy factory in Pemberton, near Wigan. The government has announced plans to close 7 Remploy factories in the North West.
Advertisement
Disabled workers to strike
Disabled workers are staging the first of two 24-hour strikes in protest at plans to close their factories.
Seven factories in the North West are earmarked for closure with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
Remploy Workers head to Parliament
Disabled workers from the North West are heading to parliament to lobby against the closure of seven Remploy factories in the region. It'll mean hundreds of job losses but the government says it can't afford to continue subsidising them.
Remploy worker - 'what chance have I got?'
Brian Davies has worked for Remploy for 33 years. Desperate to highlight the closure of seven sites in the North West he tried to chain himself to the Department of Work and Pensions building in Sheffield during a protest.
Disabled worker tries to chain himself DWP building
A disabled man from Wigan has tried to chain himself to the Department of Work and Pensions building in Sheffield. Brian Davis says he wants raise public awareness as Remploy prepare to close seven factories in the region.