NEW SNP MP Amy Callaghan has made her maiden speech in the House of Commons, saying she will "settle up for Scotland".

The 27-year-old, who unseated then Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson in the General Election in December, spoke about Scottish independence and protecting the NHS from the Tories.

She said: "I am here to do a job for the people of East Dunbartonshire, and for people right across Scotland who rejected this Tory Government.

"My SNP colleagues and I are here to settle up for Scotland, certainly not to settle down."

READ MORE: Amy Callaghan: The new MP on winning Jo Swinson's seat

Callaghan was little recognised as she started her election campaign – but a concerted drive involving thousands of door knocks, turning up at numerous community events and social media posts began to change that.

She gained 19,672 seats to the Lib Dems 19,523 seats. 

After facing a tough battle with skin cancer as a teenager, Callaghan's sights are now set on tackling issues such as poverty and austerity, protecting the NHS and inspiring other young women into politics, as well as representing her new constituents.

Callaghan's speech was praised by SNP MPs, with Neil Gray describing it as "brilliant" and Peter Grant saying it was "a truly great maiden speech".