VULNERABLE children will benefit from a £3m-plus cash injection for local schools to improve their life chances.

The Scottish Government has awarded Inverclyde Council £3.4m as part of its drive to improve attainment.

Youngsters in Inverclyde's most deprived communities will be targeted to close the poverty-related gap.

Local politicians have welcomed the new investment.

MSP Stuart McMillan said: “This latest funding boost for Inverclyde worth over £3.4 million demonstrates this government’s ambition to transform our schools and ensure that every young person gets the chance to succeed in life, regardless of their background.

“The Education Secretary, John Swinney, has also handed councils the flexibility to use this funding to help respond to the coronavirus pandemic so no child gets left behind.

“There’s still a lot to do in reducing poverty and inequality in Scotland – but universal benefits like free school meals for our youngest pupils, free prescriptions and free higher education are helping keep more money in the pockets of hard working families here in Inverclyde.”

The award is part of a £50m nationwide package and could be crucial, with recently-published data showing the district to be the most deprived local authority area in Scotland.

Councillor Chris McEleny, who has been calling for a special deprivation fund to support Inverclyde, described the cash as a 'very welcome support package for Inverclyde children from the Scottish Government'.

He added: “In Inverclyde, thanks to funding like this from the government, we really are making a difference in closing the poverty related attainment gap in our schools and communities.

“Identifying and targeting resources where they are needed has been key to our success, and I would like to thank all schools staff for the good work they’ve achieved."

Deputy First Minister Mr Swinney said: “Closing the poverty-related attainment gap remains the defining mission of this government and the challenges presented by the current pandemic mean that efforts to deliver equity in education are more important than ever.

"This funding will allow local authorities and schools to provide targeted help for some of our most disadvantaged pupils.

“I have given local authorities additional flexibility in how this funding is deployed in light of the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in."