REMPLOY Employment Services is to become independent of the government so it can expand to help even more disabled people into work.

It is estimated that by March next year, Remploy Employment Services will have supported over 100,000 disabled and disadvantaged people into work since 2010.

As part of the government’s long-term economic plan, a commercial process has begun to find a new partner for Remploy so it can use private investment to help it expand.

With an employment rate which has never been higher and unemployment falling as the economy grows, an increasing number of employers are recognising the benefits of employing people with disabilities.

Through government schemes, disabled people are moving into jobs or training opportunities at a rate of over 750 placements every single week.

By allowing Remploy to take on significant investment free from government control – as requested by the Remploy Board and as recommended by Liz Sayce in her recent review – they will have the freedom and flexibility to grow the business and help even more disabled people into jobs.

Minister for Employment Esther McVey said: “I want to make sure that everyone gets to benefit from the growing economy. Remploy Employment Services has already been very successful in helping disabled people into jobs and the opportunity for new investment will help them take it to the next level.

“As part of the government’s long-term economic plan we are helping businesses up and down the country to become more confident about employing people with disabilities and giving Remploy Employment Services independence from government will allow even more disabled people to build their careers.”

Beth Carruthers, chief executive of Remploy said: “I am delighted by the minister’s announcement. The decision creates a fantastic opportunity for Remploy to grow and flourish enabling even more disabled people to transform their lives through work.”

Kirsty Mchugh, for the Employment Related Services Association, said: “We wholeheartedly support the announcement which supports Remploy’s ability to continue to deliver excellent services to disabled people.”

And Susan Scott Parker, founder and chief executive of the Business Disability Forum, said: “We believe that the announcement is a very positive step towards enabling Remploy to support employers to recruit and retain even more disabled people.”