INVERCLYDE has lost out on £10m worth of funding for vital council services claims a Labour leadership race frontrunner.

Anas Sarwar says the Scottish Government has not passed on its budget increases to councils over the last nine years.

The Labour hopeful said: “Instead of the SNP’s philosophy of centralising and hoarding power and funds in Edinburgh, we should give resources and power back to local communities, and invest in local infrastructure to create jobs.”

Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan hit back, saying the government had spent at record levels on the NHS budget, which was a priority for people.

He added: "Mr Sarwar seems to be unaware, intentionally or not, that Inverclyde will see an extra £4.2m made available to our local council in the next financial year at the same time as the Scottish Government is setting aside £90m to ensure no council has to increase council tax."