Twenty-eight of Remploy's 83 factories employing disabled workers are to close, Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain has said. Ministers have said Remploy factories cost too much, but unions argue that the government is not doing enough to bring in business. The closures could mean up to 2,000 jobs will be lost. The government said 17 factories would close and 11 would be merged with other Remploy sites.
Nearly £70,000 of government funding to improve homes for people with learning disabilities at two group homes in Fenland has been agreed. Camb's Learning Disability Partnership (LDP) provides the accommodation, at Wisbech and Whittlesey, for eight learning disabled adults.
A hi-tech scheme which cuts the time taken to approve disabled parking bays has received national acclaim.
Commenting on reports that up to 20% of British troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan may have suffered undiagnosed mild brain injuries from being in the vicinity of large explosions, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey MP said:
Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb questioned the health secretary on the government's ability to cope with a pandemic flu outbreak and what co-ordinating work the government was doing with other European countries to ensure that they get their plans in place effectively.
Sandra Gidley speaks at second reading debate on the Health and Social Care Bill
