THE GOVERNMENT'S intervention in the debate over the future of the Remploy factories which predominantly employ disabled workers is giving workers there a ray of hope.

Campaigners fighting to save several of the plants from closure are today poring over the decision to see whether it means the plants could be saved.

In Wales four Remploy plants had been due to close, including that at Cwmtillery, and two to merge.

Welsh secretary Peter Hain has said the government, rather than the firm will now make the final decision.

He has also said there will be no compulsory redundancies.

This is an unusual step for the government to take but one which shows that the campaign which led to a mass rally last Sunday outside the Labour Party conference has reached the ears of ministers.

It undoubtedly has helped the government stave off a difficult debate at the conference.

But whatever the motives behind Mr Hain's announcement, at the very least it will facilitate further talks on the future of the plants and hopefully that will lead to them developing, rather than shrinking.

The announcement gives workers some breathing space.

Let's hope that it leads to a more positive outcome for these factories which have provided gainful enmpllyment for disabeld people for so many years.