Secretary of State Hilary Benn welcomes Harland and Wolff deal

Navantia UK agrees commercial deal to purchase Harland & Wolff.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn has welcomed Navantia UK's agreement to purchase all four Harland and Wolff shipyards, including its Belfast facility. 

The deal has secured 1,000 UK jobs and ensured the delivery of the Fleet Solid Support Programme to build three Royal Navy ships. In Belfast, around 500 jobs will be protected by the deal.  The deal supports delivery of the UK Government's Plan for Change, safeguarding national security while raising living standards across the UK with good, skilled, productive jobs which foster economic growth.

The Secretary of State said: 

This investment is great news for Belfast, for the Northern Ireland economy and, above all, for Harland and Wolff's hugely skilled shipbuilding workforce.  

Harland and Wolff is an iconic, internationally-renowned company with a long and proud history. 

I am delighted that, with this deal, it will now have a bright future ahead.