THE number of children living in poverty in Inverclyde is declining according to a national expert charity task force.

Research carried out by Loughborough University on behalf of the End Child Poverty coalition shows that in 2019 the number of children living in relative low income families in Inverclyde reached 2,194.

In 2020, the figure jumped up to 2,213 - but the predicted figure for 2021 is 1,683.

The End Child Poverty coalition comprises organisations including Oxfam Scotland, Home-Start Scotland and Trussell Trust.

Drawing on data released by the Department for Work and Pensions, the coalition says the level of child poverty in relative low income families across Scotland as a whole remains 'stubbornly high'.

Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe says the predicted fall in the number of children aged up to 15 living in poverty in the district should be welcomed - but he also issued a note of caution.

Cllr McCabe said: "Child poverty is notoriously difficult to measure and these figures have been gathered before the current cost of living crisis which has hit families very hard, particularly those on low incomes.

"It's likely that levels of child poverty and poverty in general are now increasing.

"It is vital that national and local governments continue to provide as much support as they can to low income families."

SNP group leader Elizabeth Robertson said while the figures do look positive, 1,683 children living in poverty is still far too many.

Cllr Robertson added: "The decline should prompt us to now look deeper, behind the numbers, to determine what this change means and what has caused it.

"Looking further may help us understand what we can do, or can keep doing, to help the number fall yet further.

"We should celebrate the reduction, understand what's behind the change we're seeing, and then keep going forward with actions to make a difference for even more families."