Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has spoken of the importance to the island economy of manufacturing jobs at the Arnish yard, Isle of Lewis.

This follows the news that Burntisland Fabrications, which operates the yard at Arnish, has confirmed it has filed its intention to go into administration as a result of “a challenging situation regarding its ongoing contracts.”

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:

“This will be a distressing time for those employed at Arnish and their families.

“The Arnish yard is renowned for the quality of what it makes and the quality of the workforce. Last night, I spoke to Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, about this situation and impressed upon him the importance of these jobs to the island’s economy.

“The Scottish Government has engaged in discussions with the company and I have been given an assurance that they stand determined to fully explore all options to save the company and the jobs that depend on it.

“This will obviously be a very trying time for the workforce and I stand readily to offer them any assistance I can.”