Leighton Andrews

Remploy

Recently I have paid two visits to the Remploy factory in Porth to discuss the options for its future with the workforce. As Assembly Member for Rhondda, I have supported Remploy workers in Porth as they faced months of uncertainty over the future of their jobs. The Remploy factory in Porth is important to the local community. It has an excellent record for employing disabled workers and supports a highly specialised skill set - computer recycling and data cleansing to international standards.

The Welsh Labour Government is profoundly disappointed with the decision by the Conservative-led UK Government to reduce its current subsidy to Remploy, resulting in the closure of Remploy factories in Wales. This has wide-reaching implications not only for the lives of individuals, but also for families and communities across Wales. It is clear that Wales has been disproportionately hit by the closures announced.

The UK Conservative-led Government accepts proposals for the closure of seven Remploy factories in Wales—in Aberdare, Abertillery, Bridgend, Croespenmaen, Merthyr, Swansea and Wrexham, with 272 workers affected. I understand that the factories in Porth and in Neath are considered, in the words of the UK Government, to be 'potentially viable’.

We understand that Remploy will now proceed to a 90-day consultation on the closure of the affected factories. I have asked the UK Minister for full details of the background to this decision, including the publication of any studies undertaken on the viability of the factories. There needs to be an immediate discussion regarding the Remploy assets in Wales so that the Welsh Government can work in a meaningful way with disabled people, the relevant trade unions and others wishing to form social enterprises.

The Welsh Government is exploring with Remploy what may be done to maintain the factories in Wales. We have set up a task-force to look at the possibilities for protecting jobs. We want the UK government to transfer the current subsidies for Remploy factories in Wales to the Welsh government. We want to protect Remploy jobs.

More photographs of the visits can be found on my Flickr website.  The video below was taken on a visit to mark the factory winning a contract from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council .

 

 

 

 

 

Statement on Remploy

 

My Rhondda Leader column

 
The Rhondda Leader last week ran my column under a picture of Council Leader Russell Roberts and his by-line. I have complained. Here is what I wrote:

Over the summer I have been supporting Remploy workers in Porth as they face huge uncertainty about the future of their jobs. I visited the factory in Dinas at the  end of July and voiced my support for their protest in August.

Following a review commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions, the UK Tory-led Government is consulting on the future of Remploy factories across the UK, including nine in Wales. The Sayce Report recommended that UK government funding should be redirected away from Remploy factories and towards helping individuals find employment in the open labour market. Remploy currently employ more than 400 workers in Wales.

As the Welsh Government Minister responsible for dialogue with the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions on these issues, I have been pleased to re-emphasise the Welsh Labour Government’s opposition to the closure of Remploy factories in Wales. In this capacity, I have made it clear that: 

“Remploy currently deliver essential services for disabled people and a number of Welsh communities rely on Remploy factories as they are a major employer within their area.”

“As such, the Welsh Assembly Government will oppose any factory closures vigorously given our concern regarding the impact of our local communities and our economy. This remains the current position of the Welsh Government.”

Welsh Government officials are currently preparing a response to the UK Government’s consultation, which will build on the evidence I previously submitted to the Sayce Review. I have re-emphasised the Welsh Government’s opposition to factory closures in our communities and I will continue to support workers in my constituency during their battle to keep their jobs and protect employment opportunities for disabled people in the Rhondda.

The factory in Dinas is doing serious work in the important fields of computer recycling and data cleansing - high-tech work which is genuinely advanced and productive.

Meanwhile, many congratulations to students  at local secondary schools and at Coleg Morgannwg on their performance in this year’s A Level, Welsh Bacc and GCSE exams. It was great to see the successes so many young people have been having locally. Congratulations also to the local teachers and head-teachers, and college lecturers, who have supported them so ably.

Welsh Labour Oppose Remploy Closures

 

Over the past two months I have been supporting Remploy workers in Porth as they face huge uncertainty about the future of their jobs. I have written about this issue a few times, as well as visiting workers at the factory towards the end of July and voicing my support for their protest in August.

Following a review commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions, the UK Tory-led Government is consulting on the future of Remploy factories across the UK, including nine in Wales. The Sayce Reportrecommended that UK government funding should be redirected away from Remploy factories and towards helping individuals find employment in the open labour market. Remploy currently employ more than 400 workers in Wales.

As the Welsh Government Minister responsible for dialogue with the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions, I have been pleased to re-emphasise the Welsh Government’s opposition to the closure of Remploy factories in Wales. In this capacity, I have responded to a letter from Rebecca Evans AM, which raised concerns about the future of Remploy in Mid and West Wales: 

 

“Remploy currently deliver essential services for disabled people and a number of Welsh communities rely on Remploy factories as they are a major employer within their area.”

“As such, the Welsh Assembly Government will oppose any factory closures vigorously given our concern regarding the impact of our local communities and our economy. This remains the current position of the Welsh Government.”

  

As stated in my letter to Rebecca Evans AM, my officials are currently preparing a response to the UK Government’s consultation, which will build on the evidence I previously submitted to the Sayce Review. I have re-emphasised the Welsh Government’s opposition to factory closures in our communities and I will continue to support workers in my constituency during their battle to keep their jobs and protect employment opportunities for disabled people in the Rhondda.

 

 

Support for Remploy workers' protest

 
Remploy workers in Porth are protesting today over a UK Government consultation that threatens the future of the factory and their jobs. Last week, I met GMB representative Jason Seldon and his colleagues ( Support for Remploy workers in Porth ) and I have confirmed my support for their protest today.

The Remploy factory in Porth is important to the local community. It has an excellent record for employing disabled workers and supports a highly specialised skill set - computer recycling and data cleansing to international standards. The Welsh Government has taken a strong position in opposition to the possible closure of Remploy factories in Wales, and I have told workers in the Porth factory that they have my support in their campaign to protect their jobs.

 

Rhondda Leader / WalesOnline article: Local politicians backing Remploy factory workers

BBC Wales news article: Porth Remploy workers stage protest over jobs fears

 

Support for Remploy workers in Porth

 
 
Last week I visited workers at the Remploy factory in Porth to discuss a potential threat to their jobs. They had contacted my office about a UK Government consultation that trade unions fear could see Remploy factories close and thousands of jobs lost across the UK.

The public consultation into employment services for disabled people was launched by the Department for Work and Pensions last month, seeking views on the recommendations put forward in the recent Sayce Review, which was conducted by RADAR Chief Executive Liz Sayce.

Trade unions Unite, GMB and Community have released a joint statement that calls on Remploy workers across the UK to ‘defend your jobs and the jobs of future disabled people’ and urges them to meet with and lobby their local elected representatives. The statement also reveals that UK Government Minister Maria Miller MP met with senior trade union officials from Unite and GMB on the 13^th July and ‘clearly stated that her Government was not prepared to fund any part of Remploy in the future’.

 
I was keen to meet Remploy employees as soon as possible and arranged to meet workers and trade union representatives at the Porth factory, with Rhondda MP Chris Bryant and a group of local Labour Councillors. During the visit I heard directly from workers who described the positive impact that Remploy had on their lives and how important the factory was to them, their families and the local community. I offered to host an event for Remploy workers at the National Assembly for Wales and reconfirmed my support for them in their bid to protect their jobs. 

The Remploy factory in Porth provides vital jobs for the benefit of the local community and a much needed route into employment for many disabled people. The Welsh Government has already made representations to the Sayce Review that Remploy factories in Wales must not close, and I will be supporting the workers in their efforts to keep their jobs and protect the future of disabled people in the Rhondda.

More photos from the visit and subsequent meeting can be found here.

 
 

Rhondda AM and MP to meet with Remploy workers over threats to local jobs

 
Next Thursday I will be meeting workers at the Remploy factory in Porth to discuss potential threats to their jobs.

Earlier this month, the UK Government launched a consultation into employment services for disabled people and is seeking views on the recommendations put forward in the recent Sayce Review, which was conducted by RADAR Chief Executive Liz Sayce.

Trade unions Unite, GMB and Community have released a joint statement that calls on Remploy workers across the UK to ‘defend your jobs and the jobs of future disabled people’ and urges them to meet with and lobby their local elected representatives. The statement also reveals that UK Government Minister Maria Miller MP met with senior trade union officials from Unite and GMB on the 13^th July and ‘clearly stated that her Government was not prepared to fund any part of Remploy in the future’.

Remploy workers in Porth have since been in touch with the Rhondda Labour office and both Chris and I were quick to arrange a meeting to discuss support for our constituents. The Remploy factory in Porth provides vital jobs for the benefit of the local community and a much needed route into employment for many disabled people.

I am pleased to be meeting with local Remploy workers on Thursday to discuss potential action and to support them in their battle to protect both their jobs and the future of disabled people in the Rhondda. I want to hear directly from the workers who are feeling under threat from the UK Conservative-led government and potentially facing the loss of their livelihoods.