HARD work has been highlighted as key after Inverclyde was found to have the lowest homelessness rate for young people in the country.

Fewer than five children were in placed in temporary accommodation in the district in March last year due to having no permanent roof over their head.

Data released by the Scottish Government provides details on the number of children recorded as being in temporary housing across all local authorities.

For March 2020 the figure for Inverclyde is officially listed as zero, but the statisticians say that this means 'less than five'.

Inverclyde's figure was the lowest in the whole of Scotland.

The number of children in temporary accommodation in Inverclyde has fluctuated over the last five years.

According to the report, 13 children were in homeless accommodation in March 2016.

The figure rose to 22 in March 2017 before falling to 15 in March 2018 and five in 2019.

Inverclyde Council says the local authority focuses on early intervention to prevent homelessness and works closely with partners to find solutions.

It is in charge of the Inverclyde Centre, which provides places for homeless people to stay.

A council spokesperson said: "Homelessness isn’t about statistics, it’s about people.

"The fact that we have some of the lowest homelessness rates in the country, including among young people, shows that the hard work going on behind the scenes is working.

"We will never rest on our laurels and we realise that more has to be done to eradicate homelessness.

"It will inevitably become an even greater issue as the effects of the devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic are felt.

"Inverclyde has a proud reputation of being a caring and compassionate place and we will continue to work hard to that end to look after our fellow citizens and offer them the help and support they need."