‘Scrapheap’ fear over factory axe

OLDHAM Council is set to pile pressure on the Government to ensure disabled adults don’t get left on the job scrapheap after the proposed closure of Remploy’s Oldham factory.

More than 100 jobs face the axe by the end of 2012 at the Ashton Road operation of the organisation which supports disabled people in employment.

Councillors will seek reassurances from Maria Miller, the Minister for Disabled People, that disabled adults will receive the “fullest opportunity” in employment — if a motion is passed by tomorrow’s full council meeting.

Last month it was announced Oldham will be hit the hardest under plans to close 36 of 54 Remploy factories nationally — with the local branch being the single biggest employer on the list with a workforce of 115 — 107 of them disabled.