The Scottish Government has been urged to help secure a rescue package for closure-threatened Remploy factories.
Dundee MP Jim McGovern has said that action was needed now to safeguard the jobs of dozens of disabled employees at premises in the city and in Fife.
Mr McGovern was speaking after meetings between Remploy staff in Dundee and Leven, and UK Minister for Disabled People, Esther McVey.
The two premises, along with a third in Cowdenbeath, have been earmarked for closure by the UK Government.
The premises provide employment for disabled people, subsidised by the Government.
Expressions of interest are being sought for the factories and Ms McVey gave assurances that securing jobs was the top priority.
“We have had expressions of interest coming forward and we are working to get the best possible outcome,” she said.
“The process has just started and will go on until the end of March.”
Some optimism was expressed that Remploy could be thrown a lifeline, ending months of uncertainty for anxious employees. However, there were also fears some bids had been made merely to strip the factories’ assets.
Glenrothes MP Lindsay Roy, who has been fighting on behalf of Fife’s Remploy workers, added: “We are working together and hopefully we’ll be able to produce a viable rescue package.
“There’s a great deal more optimism than there was before.”
Dundee MSP Shona Robison agreed the meetings had been constructive, but added: “We questioned the minister on the notes of interest that had been obtained so far and learned that one is potentially a bid for the assets of the Dundee Remploy factory which is concerning.
“The working group is seeking more information on the business viability of the Dundee factory in order to support the possibility of a phoenix company or social enterprise or some other means of saving the factory as a going concern.”
Mr McGovern called on the Scottish Government to step in as soon as possible.
“If they commit to taking responsibility for the factory it could have a long and productive future,” he said.
“The SNP administrations in Dundee and Holyrood have warm words for Remploy but what the staff need to see now is immediate action by those with the power to do so.”