News

Remploy's management have reversed their decision to close a packaging and print operation in Manchester.

The firm, which provides employment for people with disabilities, plans to retain the operation at Wythenshawe and "develop a plan for potential increases in the printing business arising from public procurement regulations".

However, Remploy chief executive Bob Warner said the company had not yet secured this possible extra work and would introduce a voluntary redundancy programme to cut the factory's costs.

The plant supplies medium-volume printed materials and employs 38 people, 31 of whom have a disability.

Remploy head of communications Shiona Williams said the firm had put its revised proposals to work and pensions secretary Peter Hain.

The final decision would be made by the government in the next few weeks, she added.

Warner said on Monday (12 November) that the firm had revised its modernisation plans.

He said the company and trade unions had found "common ground" on reducing management costs and overheads and changing working practices to produce additional savings, giving a total of £59m over five years.

Remploy said it now wanted 55 factories to remain open – up from 40 – subject to satisfactory progress towards an "acceptable loss per disabled employee".

Unions condemned the announcement as an "absolute disgrace".

They will announce their own plans to save jobs tomorrow (Wednesday).