The East Belfast MP said, “I am delighted that this agreement has been reached which will secure the future of jobs in Belfast and in its other sites.
This has been a hugely unsettling time, particularly for all the staff at the yard, but the contract for the Ministry of Defence’s Fleet Solid Support was always crucial to a solution being found. Harland & Wolff forms part of a wider defence sector that has huge potential for further growth in Northern Ireland. I am looking forward to joining the Secretary of State at Harland & Wolff later today and to meet and discuss with staff.
The staff are the yard’s biggest asset, and this has been a worrying period. This announcement should provide some very welcome relief and reassurance to them as we look forward to Christmas.”