'Disabled people before profit' say Lib Dems

10.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 10th Oct 2005

Liberal Democrats on Northamptonshire County Council are 'calling in' the Tory decision to sack 11 disabled staff at Nordis, the council run sheltered workshop for people with learning and/or physical disabilities. 'We are going to ask the Council's scrutiny committee to use its powers to have this decision re-considered' said Lib Dem group leader.

'The Tory Council have chosen some of most vulnerable members of our community for their first big cut since coming to power. They have shown little concern for the needs and concerns of severely disabled people and their families as they put short term financial considerations first. Nordis is and never should be aimed just at making a profit. It exists to provide a valuable opportunity to disabled people to work and build their skills and self confidence.'

'We will be asking the council's scrutiny committee to review this decision in the light of the failures to provide sufficient evidence that the interests of the employees had been properly considered.' All party scrutiny committees have the power to review the evidence that led to a council cabinet system and make recommendations to change a decision.

'This matter has been appallingly badly handled by the council' concluded Richard Church there has been little sensitivity to the concerns and the needs of vulnerable people whose livelihoods are threatened.'

ENDS