THE number of disabled and disadvantaged people in Wirral who have been helped back into work has almost doubled over the past year.

Figures from Remploy, the leading provider of employment services for disabled people, reveal the organisation has trebled the number of people it supported into work last year in the North West.

The organisation found 507 jobs for its Wirral clients in the 12 months to the end of March, compared with 279 the previous year. It is an increase of 87 per cent.

Across the North West, it has found jobs for 3,062 people, compared to 1,096 the previous year, an increase of 179 per cent.

Michael Bishop, Remploy's regional director of employment services, said: "This is a remarkable achievement in a challenging economic environment with high unemployment and is a tribute to the extensive relationships we have with employers.

"We, and the thousands of companies and organisations with which we work, recognise that employing disabled people delivers real social and economic value for their businesses.

"By helping employers to better understand and enjoy the benefits of employing disabled people, in effect transforming their businesses, we achieve the Remploy mission of helping to transform the lives of thousands of people.

"Our outstanding success only serves to reinforce our belief in a fairer, more diverse society driven by greater inclusion and equality for disabled people."

Almost one of three people supported into work by Remploy had mental health issues or a learning disability and around three quarters had been out of work for more than 12 months.

The company operates a national network of 64 specialist recruitment branches and offices where disabled people and others who are furthest from the labour market have access to a range of services and support to prepare them for the world of work.

Mr Bishop said: "When employers come to Remploy to fill their vacancies, they know that they are going to be interviewing well-prepared candidates and because we know and understand the employers' needs they get the right people for the right job.

"Firms tell us that employees who came to them from Remploy stay in the job longer and are less likely to take time off work."