To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of those formerly employed in Remploy factories which have been closed in the last three years have subsequently found alternative employment with Government assistance. (278035)

[holding answer 4 June 2009): Because of data protection regulations, Remploy are not able to share personal details of those employees leaving the factories with the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Department for Work and Pensions does not keep records on Remploy ex-employees separately. It is therefore not possible to provide information about the proportion of people formerly employed at Remploy factories who have found work with Government assistance.

Remploy has provided the information as follows on the 1,637 people who left the factories under the modernisation of the company:

Remploy last contacted these former employees in March 2009, but only received responses from 635 (38 per cent.).

Of the 635 replies, 178 people (28 per cent.) have confirmed they are in work.

232 former factory employees remain employed by Remploy. Of these, 108 are working at a host company on a permanent contract, 80 are on a job placement and 44 are still looking for work.