Critics condemn Remploy closure in Croespenmaen

UK Government plans to close Remploy’s Croespenmaen factory, along with six others across Wales, have drawn sharp criticism from politicians.

Yesterday the Government announced the factory closures as part of its response to the recent Sayce Review citing the £320m protected budget for disability employment could be better spent.

However the closures of seven Remploy factories in Aberdare, Abertillery, Bridgend, Merthyr, Swansea, Wrexham and Croespenmaen will see 272 people – the majority disabled – lose their jobs.

Founded in 1945, Remploy offers employment to people with disabilities and makes a wide variety of products.

Croespenmaen will see 44 workers lose their jobs, something that angers Islwyn MP Chris Evans.

He said: “This is a despicable act from the Tory-led Government and they have shown their utter contempt for the most vulnerable people in our society.

“I think that it is truly sad that the Government made this announcement on the day of the Parliament’s celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in the hope of diverting attention away from this awful decision.

“They have shown what they think of Remploy workers when ministers who made this decision were either to afraid or simply could not be bothered to come to the House of Commons to explain their actions.

“Unemployment is going through the roof, back to work schemes are struggling to cope with spiralling unemployment and the government has responded by sacking disabled workers – they should be ashamed of themselves.

“I know the Croespenmaen factory very well and how hard the staff has worked there to make the business a success – this really is the worst possible news. I will be meeting with management and unions there to discuss the way forward.”

Plaid Cymru AM Lindsay Whittle shared Mr Evan’s anger. As well as Croespenmaen, the South Wales East Member also has Abertillery and Merthyr Tydfil in his area.

Mr Whittle said: “I’m absolutely furious about this announcement. This Tory-led Government has proved itself no better than the Thatcher Government of the 1980s which devastated large areas of Wales.

“This callous decision means that disabled workers in some of the most deprived areas will have to find alternative employment with little financial support in a very difficult employment situation.

“The Government claims the closures will mean that they can spend money more effectively and is about equality and fairness but that rings very hollow. There are just not the alternative jobs available. This is a cruel decision from a Government which couldn’t care less for the disabled.”

Minister for Disabled People Maria Miller defended the closures in light of a report penned by the Royal Association for Disability Rights’ chief executive Liz Sayce.

She said: “We have been absolutely clear that the £320m budget for specialist disability employment services has been protected. But by spending the money more effectively, we can get thousands more disabled people in work.

“That is why we have accepted the recommendation from the Sayce review to refocus support on individuals through services like Access to Work, rather than institutions like Remploy, so more disabled people can work in mainstream employment rather than Government funded segregated factories.”

In a statement, Welsh Education and Skills Minister Leighton Andrews described the closures as “devastating”.

He said: “The Welsh Government is profoundly disappointed with the decision by the UK Government to reduce its current subsidy to Remploy, resulting in the closure of Remploy factories in Wales, England and Scotland.

“This has wide-reaching implications not only for the lives of individuals, but also for families and communities across Wales. It is clear that Wales has been disproportionately hit by the closures announced.”

He added: “This announcement will be devastating for those workers, their families and the local communities.

“In our submissions to the UK Government, the Welsh Government has made clear our vigorous opposition to such closures, not least at a time of economic hardship, and an extremely unfavourable labour market. This situation is particularly acute for those who are already facing considerable obstacles and are one of the groups at greatest disadvantage in today’s labour market.

“Employment, including specialist employment support for disabled people, is a matter reserved to the UK Government. I regret that repeated requests by Welsh Ministers for a constructive dialogue on Remploy factories in Wales have not been taken up by the UK Government.”