NI science and tech industries to receive £30m investment

The minister for industry announced the financial boost while visiting Harland and Wolff in east Belfast

Northern Ireland's science and technology industries are set to receive a boost of at least £30m from a new investment plan, the UK's minister for industry has announced.

Sarah Jones said there is "huge talent and huge expertise" in Northern Ireland's defence, innovation and manufacturing sectors.

The money is part of the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, a 10-year plan by the government to increase business investment and grow the industries of the future in the UK.

It comes on top of £2m of government funding for Queen's University Belfast's Cybersecurity AI Tech Hub, which was confirmed in June.

The government says the strategy will make it quicker and easier for businesses to invest, and provide the certainty and stability needed for long-term investment decisions.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Jones said the £30m will be delivered in partnership with the Stormont Executive.

"We want to work with industry as well to make sure we're doing the right things with universities, political parties and that things are funded in the right way," she added.

No set timescale was mentioned, but the minister said she would like to see the money delivered "sooner rather than later".

Construction on the three Navy support ships is due to begin next year

The announcement about the new funding was made at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in east Belfast.

The shipyard fell into administration in October last year and was saved by a deal with Spain's state-owned shipbuilder Navantia.

On Wednesday, work was visibly under way to extend a large fabrication hall, which will hold new equipment to deliver the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme.

The FSS programme, which is a contract from the Ministry of Defence, will result in Navantia UK building three Navy support ships.

Apprenticeships

Construction of the vessels is due to begin in 2026 but next week 35 new apprentices will start at the shipyard to support the project.

On site were some of the apprentices currently working at the iconic shipyard.

Keelan McCorriston and Matthew Quigley are both first year apprentices.

Matthew is focusing on steel work while Keelan works on electrics on the huge yellow cranes.

Both have been here since last year, when Harland and Wolff fell into administration.

Keelan McCorriston and Matthew Quigley have been getting hands-on experience working at the shipyard

Matthew says there was always hope that the company would be rescued, and is positive for the future under Navantia.

"The history and the people are so important," he said.

"It's great to be part of it."

Keelan says it felt strange starting the apprenticeship as he was not sure it would continue, but was "reassured" when Navantia took over.