SNP Respond to Remploy Statement

The SNP has expressed its disappointment at the UK Government’s announcement to close the Remploy factory at Wishaw, but welcomed the acceptance of business plans for the Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Springburn sites to continue outside of Government control.

The UK Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, announced the closure of 27 of the 36 Remploy factories across the UK which had been earmarked for closure in March.

Of the four sites under threat in Scotland, alternative bids were accepted for three, following concerted efforts by the Scottish Government working with Scottish Enterprise, social enterprise partners, trade unions and Remploy staff to support continued employment and help those who wish to develop proposals for the sites.

SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“This is a devastating blow to the employees at Remploy in Wishaw and my thoughts are with all those affected. It is crucial that meaningful, specialist employment advice is available and a fair support package is put in place for those facing redundancy.

“Any efforts to assist disabled people into mainstream work are to be commended, but there is little in the UK Government’s plans to show how this will happen in practice.

“The Tory plans to no longer support Remploy factories were taken forward with undue rush, making it difficult for alternative proposals to be developed. The Scottish Government worked tooth and nail to help those who wished to develop alternative proposals and it is good news that three of the threatened factories have bids being taken forward.

“Remploy sites in Scotland are valuable enterprises which play an important role in the community, so I am pleased that bids are going forward for Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Springburn.“

Clare Adamson, SNP MSP for Central Scotland who has visited the Wishaw Remploy factory, said:

“The SNP is extremely disappointed with the UK Government’s blatant disregard for disabled workers employed at the Remploy site in Wishaw.

“This is a sad day for Remploy Wishaw. My concern is for the workers there who are now facing an uncertain future. What support will be made available to them from the UK Government?

“This simply demonstrates why decisions should be made in Scotland. Despite the hard work of the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and unions to find practical solutions the UK Government has crushed the hopes of workers employed at Remploy Wishaw."