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Disabled workers facing redundancy as Remploy factories set for closure

More than 230 disabled people across Britain face redundancy as the Government announced the closure of the five Remploy factories in Scotland.

The closures affected in Scotland are the marine and frontline Textile factories in Leven, Cowdenbeath, Stirling, Dundee and Clydebank.

A further four factories in the english cities of Burnley, Norwich, Portsmouth and Sunderland are also threatened with closure.

Remploy is the UK's leading provider of employment services to disabled people.

The closures have been announced following a review of disability employment reform.

A number of the country's trade unions have displayed anger at the closures and have branded the decision as "cruel" and said it's the "actions of a callous Government".

Closures

In a statement to the House of Commons yesterday, work and pensions minister Esther McVey said three businesses across nine sites would close, likely to result in a third of Remploy's workforce losing their jobs.

McVey said some sites would remain commercially viable, but there were no substantial bids for a number of factories.

Last December the Government announced plans to close a further 15 factories with 900 redundancies. This followed an announcement in July 2012 that 27 Remploy factories would close.

"We will continue to do everything we can to support them in finding new jobs," said McVey. "As of 28 June 2013, 1,103 disabled former Remploy workers are choosing to work with our personal case workers to find another job.

"Currently, 400 people are in work and a further 328 disabled former Remploy workers are on Work Choice undertaking training and other activities aimed at moving them closer to employment."

Unite regional officer Kevin Hepworth said: "This cruel announcement continues the unrelenting attacks on disabled workers. This latest statement is dressed up by promises and funding that no one can realistically access.

Hepworth also said the coalition is living up to its reputation of turning its back on some of the most vulnerable people in society.

Jerry Nelson, national officer of the GMB union, said: "This is bad news dressed up as good news. This is devastating news but not untypical from this uncaring government who cannot be relied on to protect the vulnerable."