Category: News

West College Scotland & Choose College Campaign

Households in Inverclyde paying more on energy bills

Households in Inverclyde are paying on average £1,737 per year, making it the 49th most expensive place in the UK for energy bills.

According to data from comparethemarket.com, households in Inverclyde are already paying 26.5% more than the price cap that is set to be introduced in October this year.  The data also shows that people across Scotland are paying more on their bills than compared to England and Wales.

People across Scotland, including in Inverclyde are paying the price for sky high energy bills, despite Scotland having an abundance of resources in oil and gas and renewables.

Under Westminster control, the vast revenue from Scotland’s oil and gas industry has been squandered by UK governments for decades and now it is consumers in Inverclyde who are getting hammered with higher average energy bills, with bills here being the 49th most expensive in Great Britain.

This is also a result of the outrageous and expensive transmission charges that are charged in Scotland for companies to access the national grid here.

The measures announced by the Chancellor last month – welcome though they were – will barely scratch the surface of the rocketing energy bills crippling households now and in the winter months to come.

Job vacancy – caseworker

Working for:  Ronnie Cowan MP for Inverclyde

Job Title:  Caseworker (permanent contract)

Location:  Constituency office in Greenock, Inverclyde. 

Travel around the constituency or to Westminster may be required. 

Hours: full time (37.5 per week, with occasional evening or weekend working when time off in lieu will be given)

Salary:  £21,529 – £31,705

Details:  Ronnie Cowan MP is looking for a Caseworker, to work in his constituency office in Inverclyde.  This a perfect opportunity for someone with excellent administrative and IT skills, who works well in a small team, has a positive attitude, and would like to gain experience in a Member of Parliament’s office. 

The Caseworker will provide support to the MP’s constituents on a range of issues, such as financial, housing, immigration, and social security.  They will help to resolve problems through liaising with UK and Scottish government agencies, local authorities, charity/voluntary sector or other organizations. 

Applicants should have a strong interest in local and national politics, and an awareness of the constituency of Inverclyde.

Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Attend constituency surgeries and meetings.
  • Manage and progress a portfolio of casework, including logging cases, taking appropriate actions promptly, monitoring progress, analysing patterns of enquiries and producing reports.
  • Liaise with government agencies, voluntary sector and other organisations to help resolve cases. 
  • Gather relevant information to assist with resolving cases. 
  • Respond to correspondence and enquiries from constituents, including drafting letters, emails and documents.
  • Retain records and information confidentially and in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
  • Maintain, update and develop knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance.
  • Administrative support for the office.

Necessary skills:

  • Excellent IT skills including a casework tracking system, MS Office Applications (i.e. Word, Excel and Outlook), Internet and Intranet.
  • Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills, with a positive and flexible approach.
  • Ability to draft letters and emails to a high professional standard.
  • Motivated to work independently as well as the ability to work effectively as part of a small team.
  • Good office administration skills.

Interview:   Interviews will be held at 20 Crawfurd Street, Greenock, PA15 1LJ.

Start Date:  As soon as security clearance & pre-employment check questionnaire completed.

How to apply:  Please send your CV and covering letter setting out your eligibility for the role, paying particular attention to the necessary skills and responsibilities, to: ronnie.cowan.mp@parliament.uk.

Closing Date: 9th May 2022