Amy Shearer

Amy Shearer argues that exam results should not define young people’s abilities or future prospects, drawing on the pressure and anxiety experienced by students and her own disappointing National 5 maths result. She urges young people who are unhappy with their grades to recognize that life offers opportunities beyond school results. She also condemns scammers who targeted Ukrainian families and volunteers in Inverclyde, noting that a bank prevented the attempted transaction and praising the community’s continued welcome for those who fled the war.

Young adults in Inverclyde face a tougher route into adulthood than previous generations because wages have stagnated while house prices have risen sharply. Average annual pay increased from about £18,848 in 2000 to £29,020, while average house prices rose from approximately £62,633 to £109,000; BBC research also found that more than 40% of 25-year-olds live with their parents. The resulting pressure on renting, commuting, saving and home ownership affects families and workers across generations, rather than reflecting irresponsible spending on small luxuries. The column also praises Ardgowan Hospice for temporarily closing its inpatient unit because it cannot recruit sufficient senior medical staff, arguing that the decision reflects a commitment to safe, appropriate patient care.

Inverclyde Council is spending £22,000 on measures intended to reverse population decline, including £300 grants for Inverclyde students studying elsewhere, £400 relocation grants, and £300 grants supporting minority ethnic residents’ routes into employment. The initiative follows a population fall of 190 in the year to mid-2025, despite net migration of 310. The column argues that attracting residents could create longer-term economic benefits, such as new businesses and local jobs, while acknowledging concerns about fairness and the limited value of the grants. It also highlights the Beacon Arts Centre’s search for diverse new trustees to help shape its future.