LOW pay is forcing Inverclyde Council staff to turn to foodbanks and payday lenders to feed their families and make ends meet.

The shocking state of affairs was revealed today by the local branch of union, Unite.

They have issued a desperate plea for support and urged the area's MSP Stuart McMillan to back local authority employees.

Council staff across the country, including in Inverclyde, have rejected a three per cent pay rise offer from local government umbrella group, Cosla.

Union officials say workers deserve better and they want the SNP's Mr McMillan to support their calls for more funding from the Scottish Government.

Stuart Graham, secretary of the local branch of Unite, said: "Inverclyde Council staff are increasingly relying on foodbanks and payday loans to provide the most basic of needs for themselves and families.

"With cuts to in-work benefits, such as tax credits, and this derisory offer from the Scottish Government, our workers face a double blow that will inflict huge financial pressure on their daily lives. "This is a purely political decision from the government and one that only they can resolve.

"We hope that the government will improve their offer and that Mr McMillan will support the 4,500 workers of Inverclyde Council, the vast majority of them his constituents, in their campaign to secure a wage that will help lift many out of working poverty."

Almost three-quarters of Unite members rejected the three per cent pay offer and 88 per cent support strike action over the matter.

Officials say poverty among lowest paid members of staff has been exacerbated by the Scottish Government's public sector pay freeze and subsequent one per cent cap on wage rises, which amounts to an overall loss in earnings of around 17 per cent over the last five years.

But Mr McMillan claims that ministers in Edinburgh are 'limited' in what they can do to boost pay.

He wants greater powers for Holyrood to deliver 'fairer taxation' to fund public services.

Mr McMillan said: "Despite Tory cuts of £500 million to Scotland's budget, the SNP is providing a fair funding deal for local councils by increasing funding by £160m in 2018-19.

"Council staff in Inverclyde deliver vital services on which we all depend. "That's why the SNP is delivering a pay rise for public sector workers across Scotland.

"I'll always stand up for public sector workers and fight for better pay, recognising the important work they do in our communities.

"However, the reality is there are limits to what we can do to protect public services from Tory cuts under current conditions."