INVERCLYDE has been ranked as one of the worst areas in the UK for 'workless' households, new figures show.
According to a recent Office for National Statistics data release, Inverclyde had the ninth highest level of homes that do not have any adult in work in 2025, with 28.1 local dwellings meeting this criteria.
This ranking included some areas where results were suppressed for disclosure or reliability reasons. Of the areas with published figures, Inverclyde was the third highest.
Workless households are defined those where no adults are in employment, for reasons including unemployment, disability, looking after family and studying.
In response to the figures, West Scotland MSP and Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay hit out at the Scottish and UK Governments.
Mr Findlay believes the issues are due to a ‘light-touch welfare system’ in Scotland.
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He said: “These tragic figures should shame Scotland’s two left-wing governments.
"The SNP and Labour seem to think that it's progressive to trap people on benefits when it is in fact cruel and harmful.
“The out-of-control benefit state is also unfair on hard-working Scots who are forced to pay for it with ever rising taxes.”
The Scottish Conservative leader went on to urge the government to cut taxes.
According to the Scottish Fiscal Commission, benefits spending is projected to reach almost £10 billion by 2030.
Business Minister Tom Arthur said the Scottish Government is using ‘every power available’ to support people towards and into employment.
The MSP said: “This includes investing in services which support people to enter and sustain good work – from employability services to additional funding for childcare to further support to enable parents to develop their skills and access the transport they need to increase their earnings.
“As the Social Justice Secretary has made clear, the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring people get support where they need it when they need it, and we do so in an affordable, sustainable and effective manner – as has been the case since the first benefits were devolved in 2018.
“If opposition parties want to cut benefits which were unanimously backed by Parliament, they need to be clear who they wish to take support away from, and what impact that will have on recipients across Scotland.”
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