Disappointment for Remploy Redruth

6.00.00pm GMT Thu 29th Nov 2007

Government plans to close the Remploy factory in Redruth were finalised today, in a House of Commons statement from Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Peter Hain.

The disappointing announcement means that the proposal to merge the Redruth factory with Penzance, which was put out to consultation earlier this year, has now been confirmed.

Falmouth and Camborne MP Julia Goldsworthy had expressed concerns in the past that many would find adjustment to mainstream work very difficult, and she raised these concerns again with the Minister during today's statement.

Commenting on the Ministerial announcement today, local MP Julia Goldsworthy said:

"I am very disappointed with the sad news today that the Remploy factory in Pool is set to merge with Penzance. There are a lot of people for whom the factory has provided vital work and support, and they will find it very difficult to adapt to the merger as finalised today by Department of Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain."

"The Government's intentions for the factory site have now been made clear - after lengthy delay. I have written to both Kerrier and the County Council to see if there is any scope for a partnership approach that could offer new hope to those currently working on the site. The closure should not go ahead until every possible option has been fully explored. Remploy's management have a responsibility to ensure that this takes place at a local level now that negotiations with the Government have resulted in disappointment.

Andrew George MP added:

"The Secretary of State acknowledged today what I have always said about Remploy. The management has failed to deliver the kinds of contracts from the public and voluntary sector which their procurement rules permit them to secure. I now hope to see that there will be evidence of Remploy working with local Government, Government agencies and the local community to show them just what this workforce can do."