£2m anti-poverty fund

Inverclyde Council has agreed a new series of spending projects to help tackle poverty in the area.

The £2m anti-poverty fund aims to tackle issues raised before covid as part of the outcomes of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) which identified places across Scotland suffering from deprivation.

Inverclyde Council Leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: “Inverclyde was identified as the area with the largest local share of deprived areas and the past year has only compounded how exposed some residents in the area have been. 

The Pantry community food store from Inverclyde Council and Inverclyde Community Development Trust - The Trust. Pictured is Councillor Stephen McCabe, front, leader of Inverclyde Council, with Andy Mc
Councillor Stephen McCabe at The Pantry, which is one of the initiatives set to benefit from extra funding.

“While there is a wider debate to be had about areas like ours becoming national priorities for investment, the council is putting its resources to work to support our communities through our covid recovery fund, through our Inverclyde Works jobs recovery programme and through the anti-poverty fund. 

“The range of initiatives identified respond to the priorities set out by the community through local engagement and aim to help to focus on issues including employment, business, food and fuel insecurity and in supporting local organisations offering financial help to residents.”

The investment of £2m includes spending on:

  • Local Employment pilots £1,037,000
  • Dedicated business development officer £167,000
  • School linked Social Workers £202,000
  • Food Insecurity Year 2 Pantry and Fare Share Membership £124,000
  • Fuel Insecurity £200,000
  • Financial Fitness £60,000
  • Starter Pack £74,000
  • Early Intervention Support and Mentoring for Families £104,000
  • Credit Union £8,000