SCOTLAND’S First Minister John Swinney welcomed a deal with the Spanish state to save shipbuilder Harland and Wolff (H&W) today.

But the Scottish TUC have issued a challenge: “If the Spanish state can do it, so can we.”

H&W was spared receivership in January when Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia stepped in, saving 1,000 jobs across its sites in Belfast in Ireland, Appledore in Devon, Arnish on the Isle of Lewis, and Methil in Fife.