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The funding will help workers facing redundancy due to UK Government plans to close more factories in Wales.

Last year Ministers in London announced that a number of Remploy plants were to close under ‘Phase 1’ of their plans.  In response the Welsh Government launched the Employer Support Grant to help displaced Remploy workers find new work.

The UK Government is now considering the future of the remaining Remploy plants in Wales under ‘Phase 2’, including the future of the Porth and Baglan sites with a potential 200 workers affected.

Communities & Tackling Poverty Minister Huw Lewis has announced those workers affected by ‘Phase 2’ will also receive the same level of Welsh Government support. The Employer Support Grant offers financial support for employers looking to offer suitable and sustainable employment to displaced Remploy workers in Wales.  

The funding is available to organisations who can offer suitable employment to disabled ex-employees of Remploy for a minimum period of four years. The support is also available to former disabled Remploy workers who have become self-employed or are planning to set up their own business.  The latest figures show the scheme has helped 78 former Remploy workers find new jobs, and job opportunities have been found for more. The scheme will now be extended so applications can be made up until March 2014.

The support package will be funded with up to £2.4 million of Welsh Government funding.

Huw Lewis said:

“Make no mistake, the decision to close all the Remploy factories in Wales was a huge blow. The way it was handled was a mistake and is not going to improve the lives of disabled people. We were in the middle of a global economic recession, so turfing people out of Remploy was the wrong move.

“That is why we took decisive action to help those affected and created the Employer Support Grant to help former Remploy workers find new work or set up their own businesses. We are now extending this support to cover those Remploy workers who face redundancy and an uncertain future as the UK Government continues with their plans.

“We have a clear aim – to provide fulfilling and accessible employment to people of all skills and abilities. We remain committed to doing all we can to find suitable employment for as many of the redundant Remploy workers as possible."

Related Websites

Remploy