AMID fierce protests and stiff opposition, the mothballing of Remploy’s factories began in 2008, with the last ones closing in 2013.

At their peak, in the late 1980s, the factories employed more than 10,000 people over 94 sites – the majority of whom were disabled.

Non-profit making, the factories began to close under the last Labour government because – the DWP says – they were losing significant sums of money.

Eight factories in the North-East were closed, leaving loyal workers bereft while the government claimed they were acting in their best interests – saying disabled people should not be consigned to work in segregated, loss-making factories.

With the closures, hundreds of workers were made redundant while the government continued to claim that disabled people supported their attempt to further integrate them into mainstream employment.

An £8m government support package was put into place to help former workers find alternative employment and the Department of Work and Pensions say the scheme has helped more than 80 per cent of former employees find jobs or access training.

However, former workers and union officials hotly dispute the figures, with the GMB union claiming their research showed the majority of former workers remain unemployed or have jobs in which they are paid less, have less benefits and work less hours.

As Graeme Watson continues his desperate search for a job, GMB call for sheltered work places while the DWP maintain there are more disabled people in mainstream employment than in previous years.

A DWP spokesman said: “Disabled people deserve the same employment choices as everyone else – not being consigned to work in segregated, loss-making factories.

"There are now over 250,000 more people with disabilities in mainstream work this year compared to last.

GMB’s national officer, Kamaljeet Jandu, said Mr Watson’s case was heartbreaking but far from unique.

He said: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking to know how hard it is not only for [Graeme Watson] and others in his position, but for their families and carers.

“It’s absolutely wrong that ex-Remploy workers are faced with this and employers could offer more understanding, more care and more practical help.

“These people are motivated, they want jobs but when such barriers – whether physical, mental or attitudinal – are put in their way, how can they aspire to make a contribution to society?

“The government might say that disabled people asked for this but quite frankly, that’s not the message we’ve had and we’ve got an abundance of evidence to say that’s not the case.

“A year or so after the closures we found 75 per cent of those made redundant were not successful in finding alternative employment.

“If individuals want to work in the mainstream, we support that – however, we need specific sheltered work places so people with disabilities that require support can have a job, income, make a contribution and be part of society.

“Work’s not about earning money, it’s about socialising, friendships and raising aspirations – when that’s denied, it will have an impact on wellbeing, attitude and self-esteem.

“This government has washed its hands and looked the other way – it doesn’t give a second thought to people who are the most vulnerable in society and whose needs are very basic.

“As we said at the time of closures, the government plan was to socially and economically dump people with disabilities onto the scrapheap.

“Our figures show that’s exactly what happened and this goes to the heart of the principle that local authorities and the government have to provide support for the most vulnerable.

“That’s the mark of a decent society and what this government and the closure of Remploy factories has shown is that we don’t care for the vulnerable.

“This government is on course to create an ‘us and them’ society – a divided Britain.”

Chris Randall, a spokesman for Remploy, said the company is helping Mr Watson in his quest to find a job, is aware that an ‘on the job’ interview would be best for him and were working hard to secure a work placement.

He added: “Some employers are still not quite up to date with the benefits disabled people can bring to the work force – our role is to encourage employers to recognise those benefits and to have equality and diversity in the work place.”