During today’s (Thursday) continuation of the Queen’s Speech Debate I took the opportunity to invite UK Government Ministers to Inverclyde to discuss the issue of employment.

I’ve written to the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of State for Employment to ask them to visit Inverclyde and to see the potential the area has to offer.

I am acutely aware of the need to bring meaningful employment to the Inverclyde area. It’s vital that we address the depopulation of Inverclyde and ensure that we are creating the right environment for businesses to locate.

This is why I’ve written to UK Government ministers inviting them to visit Inverclyde, maybe during the Summer recess, to discuss job losses in the area and how the UK Government and its agencies are addressing the issue.

Inverclyde has struggled since the decline of our traditional industries. We need a workable plan for regeneration and we can’t wait 30 more years for it to be implemented.

So I appeal once again to the UK Government. As the only government in the UK with the full range of economic powers at its disposal, visit us in Inverclyde and let’s get around the table to discuss the challenges and opportunities.