Getting people back into work has been a key aim for the government in recent months as it attempts to tackle the issue of rising benefit costs in the UK. Part of this target has focused on helping those with disabilities gain employment with understanding businesses which have the capacity to cater for those with mobility issues.
Remploy workers involved in action against closures in Norwich last year
Unfortunately, though, this strategy has suffered a blow with the news that a further three Remploy factories will close in the coming weeks. This follows a large scale closure plan which was initiated last year, during which 27 factories were closed down after an independent review into the way the government spent its disability employment budget.
The review recommended that, rather than providing subsidies for businesses involved in the hiring of disabled workers, more emphasis should be placed on supporting individuals receiving disability benefits.
According to Remploy, no suitable buyer has been found to take over the furniture aspect of the business, and this is the primary cause for the closures announced this week. Although the firm received a number of offers, it believed that none of the interested parties would be able to match the guidelines it set out when the business was first placed on the market.
In a statement, Remploy said; “The Remploy board has given careful consideration to the bids which were assessed for viability on a series of criteria including continued employment of disabled people, value for money for the taxpayer and the sustainability of the business.
“The board has determined that no viable business bids meeting these criteria were received for the furniture business and as a result it will close and all its factories will now move to closure.”
In total, 196 employees will lose their jobs as a result of the closure, 160 of whom are categorised as disabled. The factories earmarked for closure are in Blackburn, Sheffield and Baglan near Port Talbot.
Remploy is now working to provide advice and support for employees affected by the closures, with the firm emphasising the importance of providing stability during this traumatic period. It stated that all workers will have the opportunity to “at least two individual consultation meetings over the next 30 days to discuss the options and the support that will be available to them.”
However, the company is also working to prevent further closures in other areas of the business, with discussions currently underway regarding the future of its automotive business. At present, Remploy believes that a “potentially viable” bid for commercial properties in Birmingham, Coventry and Derby would allow the factories to continue employing those with disabilities and as such are negotiating to complete the purchase as soon as possible.
Do you think that the government made the right decision in withdrawing funds from Remploy, or do you believe that it is a positive aspect of British industry which greatly enhances the lives of disabled workers?
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