Last week marked 10 weeks since I was so privileged to be elected MP for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West.

I made a number of pledges to the people of this constituency during my campaign, and since my election I have worked every single day to fulfil those pledges.

I said I would put Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West and its concerns at the heart of government, and that I would be a passionate advocate for this constituency, its cheerleader in chief, in the bid to attract jobs and investment to this area.

I have been appointed to government as a whip, which means I’m working at the heart of Government – and already I have met with the energy minister to discuss GB Energy and other opportunities for energy and renewables investment in Inverclyde; and with the Minister for Local Growth to discuss opportunities for public and private investment in Greenock town centre and beyond.

I said I would bring ministers to our area and just this week, I was delighted to welcome the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland Kirsty McNeill to Inverclyde for a full day’s visit to show her the fantastic business and growth opportunities that this area has to offer, as well as to meet with inspiring local organisations such as the Bellville Community Garden, Rig Arts arts charity, and Barnardos’ Inverclyde Family Support Centre.

I also said I would prioritise casework and be an MP who helps people with their individual problems and concerns in whatever way I can.

Inevitably when a new MP is elected there is a period of set-up during which staff are recruited and offices are opened: we start as MPs immediately, and everything must then be set up from scratch. During this period, responses can sometimes take longer than MPs would like, but that hasn’t stopped us getting on with the job.

Since July 5, we have so far opened 497 cases, and 248 of these have been closed, meaning the issue has been resolved. Of the 249 open cases, 38 per cent are waiting for further information from the constituent, and the rest are waiting on answers from government departments or agencies.

Depending on the complexity of the case, this can take some time. Inevitably, especially as my team is recruited, we are prioritising those cases that need an urgent response, such as cases of child/family homelessness or others where people may be at risk. That means that people asking for an answer on a policy question might wait a little longer.

In the same spirit of constituency service, I pledged to be visible, open and accessible to constituents who wish to engage with me. I have held nine surgeries, in nearly every town and village in the constituency, since my election, as well as two street surgeries.

I have attended several community councils to hear their concerns and understand what is going on at local level, and have conducted several dozen visits in all corners of the constituency, meeting with businesses, charities and other organisations to hear about the work they do and how the MP and government more widely might help them.

Within a month, I’m delighted to say we will have our constituency office open in the heart of Greenock, at which people will be welcome to meet me or members of my team. I also plan to have coffee mornings and larger events for people to come with any issues they might have.

And in addition to this constituency work, I’ve also been proud to support this new government’s agenda for change and reform of our country. It has hit the ground running with the creation of a National Wealth Fund and the introduction of the GB Energy Bill to deliver cleaner and more secure energy, to drive down energy bills, and to create the jobs of the future.

This government abolished on day one the disgraceful and scandalously expensive Rwanda scheme, and scrapped the ban on onshore wind. We have reformed the minimum wage to take account of the cost of living and abolish discriminatory age bands, as well as scrapping the Tories’ anti-worker “minimum service levels” strike legislation.

We have passed the Budget Responsibility Act to deliver our commitment to fix the foundations of our economy and to start to rebuild Britain.

This government has also introduced a Renters’ Rights Bill and a bill to begin returning rail to public ownership; these are measures that, in Scotland, are devolved to the Scottish Parliament, but which we hope will inspire the Scottish Government to take similar action.

Not all of the decisions we have made have been easy or comfortable ones, but we inherited an almighty mess and tough choices have been necessary to get us back on a sound financial footing.

Anyone needing help can contact me and my office either by email on martin.mccluskey.mp@parliament.uk or by phone on 0207 219 8353.