ISLWYN MP Chris Evans told a Parliamentary debate that devolving closure-threatened Remploy factories to the Welsh Assembly is a "no-brainer".

The UK Government is planning to close seven factories in Wales, including sites in Croespenmaen and Abertillery, which employ 70 workers.

A 90-day consultation  took place and Mr Evans said he has received many letters from angry parents, family members and friends of the disabled people that Remploy employs.

During a debate in Parliament, Mr Evans said that the UK Government has "nothing to lose" by devolving the matter.

The UK Government is going to ring-fence its disability budget at £320 million and identified the Remploy factories as being unviable if its portion of the budget was withdrawn.

It has earmarked them for closure, which has angered many politicians including Mr Evans, who visited the Croespenmaen site and spoke to workers about the impact this would have.

He said devolving Remploy factories to the Assembly would offer "a lifeline to workers"- with it able to look into options including running it as a social enterprise.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Evans said: "To me, this is a no-brainer. If it works, 44 people in the Croespenmaen factory will keep their jobs."

He follows South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle in calling for the matter to be devolved- who cited a 27.9 per cent improvement in Remploy's operating result over the last few months as an example of its success.

Last month, workers from all over Wales marched in Cardiff in protest at the proposals.