Remploy ‘must merge’ if it’s to survive

REMPLOY factories must dramatically cut costs if they want to secure their long-term future, the company’s chief executive has warned.

Oldham’s site at Bardsley escaped the axe last year when 28 of the 83 sites across the country were earmarked for closure.

However, it was announced in November that Stockport would merge with Oldham’s Knott Lanes site.

Bob Warner, who runs the government-backed organisation, has admitted more centres face an uncertain future if they cannot reduce running costs.

In an interview in the House of Commons magazine, when he was asked if there will always be a need for some sheltered employment for disable people, he replied: “That’s a really difficult question to answer.”

Mr Warner said: “If we can make a success of our factory businesses — and I believe we can — then we should do it.

“I’ve been very clear with our people that, if we can get our costs down to £10,000 per person, we don’t need to have that debate about whether it’s the right thing to do or not, because it’s good value.”

The GMB union hit out at Mr Warner, claiming his leadership had left Remploy, the country’s biggest employer of disabled workers, with “less profit and less jobs and a larger subsidy”.

A spokesman said: “We do not consider that he has any vision to offer in running Remploy. GMB will continue to fight for sheltered workshops.”

The Remploy closures have proved one of the most controversial issues since Gordon Brown came to power, triggering protests at Labour’s conference and a partial climbdown from original plans to close 43 factories.

Set up after the Second World War, Remploy makes everything from school furniture, footwear and wheelchairs to biological suits.

Mencap, which supports giving disabled people “more fulfilling lives” in everyday jobs, said the loss of all Remploy factories would not be a catastrophe.

A Mencap spokesman said: “People with a learning disability should be in mainstream employment as much as possible.”