Double boost in bid to save Remploy jobs

THE Government has announced extra financial support to help interested parties take over Remploy factories.

A full business plan to keep Oldham Remploy open with the same current ethos and save 100 jobs is to be submitted to ministers who are considering the proposal.

But in a further boost, the Government is now offering a wage subsidy, up to a maximum of £6,400 for each eligible disabled employee, and will help ease the transition from the current operating models to new businesses.

Maria Miller, Minister for Disabled People, said: “We’ve always said we wanted to safeguard as many jobs as possible and we have listened to those who have already come forward and put in a bid for the factories.

“That is why we are now offering this extra support which will add to the variety of innovative and enterprising bids.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “There has been significant interest in the commercial process, with Remploy reporting over 40 expressions of interest (EOIs) already received.

“To take account of the new wage-incentive offer and to provide the opportunity for interested parties to submit new expressions of interest and subsequently business plans, the Remploy Board has taken the decision to extend the deadline for business plans.

“Remploy continues to encourage interested parties to submit their EOIs for assessment as early as possible, in order to make best use of the time available to develop their business plan.

“Parties who have already submitted an expression of interest will now have the opportunity to clarify their proposals in so far as they are affected by the additional information made available today.”

The deadline for business plans has been extended until June 25.

read the full version of this story in Monday’s Chronicle