In the modern age, experts tell us people can no longer expect jobs on their doorstep.

But when unemployment levels begin to soar, something needs to be done to protect jobs in an area like Clydebank which suffered so grievously under Mrs Thatcher.

The Tory-led coalition at Westminster doesn't care about Clydebank so we have to turn to Edinburgh for assistance.

With that in mind I brought SNP Housing and Regeneration Minister Alex Neil to Clydebank in September, making sure to invite new council leader Ronnie McColl too.

The minister didn't have time to see for himself the problems at Clydebank East but we told him that decent residents wanted away from the scheme which was being used as a dumping ground.

But along with Ronnie and myself, he did visit the dilapidated houses in Salisbury Place that Clydebank has been promised for four years are the absolute top priority for demolition and replacement in West Dunbartonshire.

We discussed the excellent progress being made by Clydebank Rebuilt with Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and vouncil support, in bringing new life to the riverside.

We showed him the new housing association flats in Cart Street, the new college, the workshops and business units and the plans for the new leisure centre.

We showed him what had already been done with the help of Lottery and European funding and the plans to refurbish the Town Hall.

We asked for his help and that of his officials in finding a way to get house building started on the main part of the John Brown site, housing and jobs the town desperately needs. We pointed out that, since 2007, funding for housing refurbishment and replacement has dried up.

Much of the town's housing stock is severely at risk of failing to meet the Scottish Housing Quality standard by 2016 - the Government's key target.

The minister acknowledged that Clydebank's housing investment allocation had been cut back, while pointing out that there were many demands on resources.

On a cross party basis, we asked Mr Neil to keep the funding in place for Clydebank's regeneration through Clydebank Rebuilt, and to deliver at least some additional housing investment for the town.

In the next four weeks we will find out whether Mr Neil was listening or whether the SNP's priorities lie elsewhere.

The Scottish Government is going to have to give further details of its budget for the coming year and outline figures for the two subsequent years.

As well as getting Mr Neil here to see for himself, I have raised questions and asked for meetings with relevant ministers.

If the Scottish Government delivers the necessary resources, I will be the first to cheer.

If they let Clydebank down, the SNP will lose any credibility in this area.

Anyone who takes a commitment to social justice seriously must recognise the support needed by Clydebank.

We cannot allow this area to go through another agony as resources are diverted elsewhere.

People here need decent homes, the dignity that goes with a job and good prospects for their children and grandchildren.

Over the last four years, less progress has been made in regenerating the riverside than I would have liked.

The owners of the John Brown site should have been forced by the council to either build or sell.

Any application to allow the site to lie derelict should be given short shrift.

It's time to get tough.

A month from now we will know whether the Scottish Government has decided to invest in jobs and houses for the people of this area or to sell Clydebank down the river. If they fail this community, there will be no hiding place for the SNP.