Ewing outlines Remploy help package

Enterprise minister Fergus Ewing is to outline Scottish Government support for disabled workers losing their jobs at Remploy factories.

Mr Ewing is due to give a statement to Holyrood in which he is expected to provide details of a support package.

Ministers and MSPs are angry at the way Remploy sites across the country are being shut after a decision by the UK Government in March to withdraw financial support.

Motherwell, Aberdeen and Edinburgh sites have already closed and it was announced last month that a site at Springburn in Glasgow will also be shut.

Earlier this month, Remploy said its remaining sites in Dundee, Stirling and Clydebank are proposed for closure with all staff at risk of redundancy.

Leven and Cowdenbeath in Fife are also at risk despite having an “established market position” that might attract commercial interest.

Remploy was set up in 1945 to provide “sheltered employment” and training for disabled ex-servicemen, but has gone on to provide long-term work.

During a debate at the Scottish Parliament last month, Mr Ewing told MSPs that he had asked his officials to develop a model of support in Scotland.

He said: “Full legal and technical details remain to be agreed but I hope to bring a full proposal to Parliament before Christmas.”