INVERCLYDE MP Martin McCluskey says he urged the new secretary of state for Scotland to provide support for the area during a recent meeting. 

The local MP met with Ian Murray to press the case for support for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West and to invite him to visit the constituency.

The meeting, which was held at the Scotland Office Headquarters at Dover House in London, came ahead of Westminster's summer recess.

Mr McCluskey told the Telegraph that he also spoke with Mr Murray about the work of the Inverclyde Taskforce, a multi-agency working group which aims to tackle some of the area's biggest issues. 

He said: "Ian is no stranger to our area, having visited a number of times during the election campaign and before. 

“When he was appointed as secretary of state for Scotland, I wanted to make sure I met with him in the first weeks of the new Labour government in order to press the case for support for our area and to invite him back.

"I also wanted to discuss the work of the previous government on the Inverclyde Taskforce and how this could be strengthened.

“During the election campaign, I made clear that I would be using my position to take Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West’s concerns to the top table and to make sure our voice is heard at the heart of Government.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming Ian, and other Scotland office ministers, to the constituency in the future.”