MSPs hit out at 'shameful' way disabled Remploy workers were axed

REMPLOY bosses were blasted by MSPs yesterday for the "shameful act" of consigning disabled workers to the job scrapheap.

And Labour and the SNP demanded a halt to planned closures until an "immediate and independent" investigation is carried out.

The passionate parliamentary debate came after the Record exposed concerns about the axing of the Remploy factory in Springburn, Glasgow.

There was fury earlier this week after we told how unions believe a secret deal with a private company, signed in July 2011, spelled the end for the wheelchair manufacturers - and almost 50 people's jobs.

Yesterday, our coverage won plaudits at Holyrood as MSPs reacted with anger to the revelations.

Labour MSP Graeme Pearson said signing the agreement with R Healthcare for sales, marketing and distribution was a "shameful act".

And Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing revealed an extra support package will be provided to help workers dumped by the Tories.

He is furious at the way sites across the country are being shut after a decision by the UK Government to withdraw financial support.

There were nine Remploy sites in Scotland but the ones in Motherwell, Aberdeen and Edinburgh have shut and Springburn will go next year.

Remploy employees picket outside their workplace at the Springburn offices in Glasgow

Ewing, who visited Remploy chief Tim Matthews on Wednesday, attacked the secrecy of the closure process.

He said: "There is a persistent lack of clear information about what their future holds. Some workers are completely confused about whether they're going to be redundant this month, next month, early next year or whenever.

"That kind of lack of clarity has characterised this whole matter and is something I think that is of profound concern to us all irrespective of which political party we represent."

Ewing also stressed that private firms want to save Remploy factories. The Record has revealed a Middlesbrough businessman wanted to takeover the Springburn plant but had his bid blocked.

Ewing added: "We need to mobilise Scotland to save the rest of the Remploy factories if we possibly can."

Patricia Ferguson, Labour MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, said: "For months, the workers have struggled to make sense of this process, as have we all. In fact, nothing about this process has been either open or transparent.

"In any other business situation, it would be regarded as a scandal."

The Tories said the Remploy factories were making huge losses and the decision to close them was in line with a review by Disability Rights UK.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions added: "We would urge the Scottish Government to fully engage with Remploy during this process to provide the best possible support and success for disabled staff who may leave the company."