Nine Remploy factory closures announced

The five remaining Remploy factories in Scotland are to close, the UK government has announced.

The businesses affected are the Marine and Frontline Textile factories at Leven, Cowdenbeath, Stirling, Dundee and Clydebank.

The government also said no viable bids had been made for packaging factories in Norwich, Portsmouth, Burnley and Sunderland.

More than 230 disabled people across the country face redundancy.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said all 137 disabled employees at the five factories in Scotland would be given tailored support from an £8m package to help with the transition to mainstream employment.

Last year, the UK government announced plans to close 36 Remploy factories following a review of disability employment support.

The DWP later said Remploy would invite expressions of interest to take over the running of the remaining factories.

In a Commons statement, Work and Pensions Minister Esther McVey said three businesses across nine sites would close, which was likely to result in one third of Remploy's workforce losing their jobs.

Ms McVey said some sites would remain commercially viable, but there were no substantial bids for a number of factories.

'No viable bids'

She told the Commons that 234 disabled people now at risk of redundancy would take part in individual consultation with Remploy.

She said: "Despite having had considerable interest in the Marine and Frontline Textile businesses at Leven, Cowdenbeath, Stirling, Dundee and Clydebank, Remploy did not receive a best and final offer for these businesses as part o