THE first UK Government minister to visit Inverclyde since the election has vowed to deliver on a pledge to bring new jobs to the area.

And Kirsty McNeill says she wants to work with the Scottish Government where she can to secure the future of the Ferguson’s shipyard – though she insists that the problems faced by the yard are largely down to the “incompetence” of the SNP administration in Edinburgh.

Ms McNeill, parliamentary under secretary of state at the Scotland Office, was speaking during a visit to Greenock to meet members of the Inverclyde Taskforce, a multi-agency working group set up by the Scottish Government to respond to the economic downturn in the area and the loss of employment.

On the future of Ferguson Marine, Ms McNeill said: "It is a devolved matter and the problems at Ferguson's are largely about the Scottish Government's incompetence.

"But we will work with them where we can."

Inverclyde MP Martin McCluskey, who accompanied Ms McNeill on her visit to the area, said the new Labour government was keen to support work coming Ferguson’s way, and cited BAE Systems’ decision to outsource part of the work on its delivery of the Type 26 frigate programme for the Ministry of Defence to the Port Glasgow yard.

Speaking to the Tele after her meeting with members of the taskforce, Ms McNeill said: "What has struck me the most about Inverclyde following my first meeting with the task force is there is huge determination to get things done, and a real entrepreneurship.

"Inverclyde also has a local council that wants to deliver and I am very impressed.

"One of my priorities is to work with local councils. They are key to delivery. I am also looking at working with the Scottish Government in all areas.

"Job losses have been a real blow in Inverclyde. We want local families to have secure jobs and money in their pockets."

But Ms McNeill’s visit came just a week after MPs backed the Labour government’s plan to remove the winter fuel payment from all but the poorest pensioners.

She said: "We have been left with a £20 billion black hole and that has to be dealt with. As the Chancellor says, there are difficult choices.

"But there will be things put in place that will make a difference.”

Both the minister and Inverclyde's MP highlighted new legislation they say will benefit workers in the form of the government’s proposed Employment Rights Bill.

Mr McCluskey added: "What I would say is that the budget has not been delivered yet. It is on October 30 and, as Kirsty alludes, there will be other policies put in place.

"As local MP I will be looking at ways to get more pensioners access to pension credits and the financial support that is available."