Remploy

Last month the government announced that a further three Remploy factories — in Neath, Sheffield and Blackburn — will close.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said this news 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,” she said.

She added that 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”.