Today, the British government announced the signing of the agreement with which the Spanish shipbuilding group Navantia has committed to purchasing all four shipyards of the Harland & Wolff in Northern Ireland (Belfast), Scotland (Arnish and Methil) and Devon (Appledore) saving about a thousand jobs ensured by the activity of the establishments, guaranteeing the protection of rights and working conditions. The negotiations took place have continued in recent months after the shipbuilding group has been placed back in administration Controlled ( of 16 September and 14 October 2024).

With the agreement, Navantia has also committed to respecting of the contract worth approximately two billion euros with the British Ministry of Defence which provides for the construction of three aircraft carrier support ships for the Royal Navy as part of the Fleet Solid Support program ( of 26 May 2020). The London government has specified that it has agreed with Navantia UK, the UK subsidiary of the group an amendment to the commercial terms of the contract that introduces minimal changes to ensure that Navantia can Fulfill the contract and build all three ships.

"This agreement - commented the Secretary of Commerce and businesses, Jonathan Reynolds -

is an important sign of confidence in the UK by of Navantia, which will not only guarantee the future of the British shipbuilding, but it will also safeguard a thousand jobs across the country and bring investment shipbuilding across the UK. The national security is the foundation of our "National Security Plan" for Change": without it we cannot reach the our goals of raising living standards across the Kingdom United with good skilled and productive jobs. Here why we are resolute in supporting the future of British shipbuilding. This agreement will ensure the our sovereign shipbuilding capability in order to strengthen our Navy and ensure that the sector can continue to generate economic growth and boost coastal communities across the UK'.

For his part, Navantia specified that the agreement is still subject to negotiations as well as the necessary approvals on the basis of the regulations applicable to the cartel and specified whereas the completion of the agreement is expected in the next month.

The agreement was also welcomed by the unions British. Highlighting that "Unite has worked day and night to ensure the interests of the workers of Harland and Wolff and the future of the UK shipbuilding industry', the Secretary-General of Unite, Sharon Graham, said that, "after countless meetings with the government, employer and potential buyers, we now have good news that offers a true hope for the future. Unite will always do everything necessary to fight for the interests of the workers". "Once again - added the regional manager of the Belfast Shipyard Workers' Union, George Brash - the workers and Unite had to fight hard to achieve a positive result. Now we focus on supplying of guarantees for both jobs and continuity of employment. Now Unite will commit to the clauses of the agreement to ensure that the requests of our members have been respected and that the workers have all the safeguards guaranteed to them by TOPE regulations. Want ensure that the agreement provides a bridge to the future for our and for the centuries-old shipbuilding industry of Belfast".

The GMB union also expressed satisfaction with the outcome positive aspects of the negotiations, but also highlighted the need for that the activity continues in all the Harland shipyards & Wolff: "Today's announcement - said the head of the GMB National Officer, Matt Roberts - represents an extremely important step forward positive for the maintenance of the sovereign production of the Kingdom United. But even if all four construction sites will remain open, GMB continues to be cautious. Without a constant pace of work - he explained - these construction sites will continue to suffer. GMB will continue to fight to ensure that this does not happen."