Harland & Wolff has dismissed “misleading and inaccurate” suggestions that it could close after a newspaper report stated the government was about to block a financial support package to keep the Belfast firm afloat.
The GMB Union has responded to reports about the potential closure of Harland and Wolff. Matt Roberts, GMB National Officer, stated:
“GMB members are concerned at reports regarding Harland & Wolff. The employer says their application for a UKEF Export Development Guarantee has not been rejected and the process is ongoing.
Instead of inter-departmental warfare in the Tory government spilling out and scaring workers, we need unequivocal joined-up support for our shipbuilding industry. All the promise of UK workshare on the FSS order must be maintained in full and ideally increased.
We will not stand by and accept any move to send further work out of the UK on this order.”
In a statement to “reassure shareholders”, H&W said talks continued “at pace” on the export development guarantee with all relevant government departments and financial institutions.
“Management remain comfortable with progress on what is a complex and large transaction for all parties involved,” it said, adding that it would update the market “in the next few weeks”.