LAST week, I visited Greenock-based Ocean Youth Trust Scotland (OYTS) with Justice Secretary Michael Matheson MSP.

I am one of the OYTS Ambassadors and they work to help provide opportunities to sail for many young people. This year 480 young people will take part in a week long voyage thanks to a £375,000 award from the Scottish Government ‘CashBack for Communities’ scheme.

Since 2008, over £75 million recovered under the Proceeds of the Crime Act has been committed to the CashBack for Communities Programme, and it has funded 1.5 million activities for youths in Scotland.

Inverclyde alone has received £830,587, with over 30,000 young people benefiting from this initiative.

Criminals don’t contribute to our communities, they live off them and serious organised crime has an impact on everyone in Scotland.

It is important that we use the proceeds of crime in a positive way to expand young people’s horizons and increase their opportunities to develop interests and skills in an enjoyable, fulfilling and supportive way.

This funding will help to ensure that our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens. I would encourage all organisations in Inverclyde to look carefully if they can apply for funds from this initiative.

I will be delighted to attend the SNP National Conference in Aberdeen next week.

I have proposed a motion on marine tourism and the benefits this growing sector can have on the Scottish economy.

Inverclyde has a huge amount to offer and we can do so much more with our tourism potential to generate more employment and economic opportunities. I look forward to highlighting this further in the months ahead.