ACTIVISTS and politicians have reacted to the latest reports of deprivation in Clydebank with a mix of blame and hope for the future.

Last week the Post reported how University of Liverpool research found levels of poverty increasing across census records from 1971 to 2011.

Campaigners and the town’s MSP Gil Paterson put responsibility at the feet of Margaret Thatcher and the Tories, by which point deprivation had made the most significant jump over four decades.

Claire Gallagher, chairwoman of Faifley Community Council, told the Post: “The Thatcher years were a time of huge economic and social upheaval and Clydebank was unfortunately one of the places most affected.

“Many of the manufacturing jobs lost in the shipyards contributed to the deprivation we see today. Clydebank has never recovered from the loss of our proud shipyards.

“One of the long-lasting legacies of Mrs Thatcher’s iron rule was lack of investment in the transition that people and places had to make and the deprivation in the town today is the result of this.

“There are very little opportunities for our youth today and zero hour contracts are not the answer. Deprivation is not only felt from people on benefits but more so from families on low income and this must be a priority for politicians from all parties to address.

“If you work you should not be deprived.”

Mr Paterson said the report’s information was 40 years old and only covers up to 2011, just four years into SNP rule.

He said: “A huge amount of effort has gone in to addressing the issue. Free prescriptions, free care for the elderly, free higher education, free school meals, extra funding from the attainment fund for every school in Clydebank, ensuring the living wage is paid wherever we have the power to do so.

“All these measures, introduced by the SNP government, have helped to support those in our communities who need it most.”

He added that while Scotland was ahead of other parts of the UK, they still had to spend £400 million to plug the welfare cuts from Westminster.

Mr Paterson said: “There is no need for austerity; it is a political choice which has resulted in the Tories cutting the Scottish budget and a choice supported by Labour and the Liberal Democrats when they voted in the House of Commons.”

Danny McCafferty, who stepped down as chairman of the Independent Resource Centre in June to restart the YES Clydebank campaign group for a referendum in 2019, said independence was the alternative to deprivation.

He said: “It won’t be an instant fix by any means and far from easy. It will also take time. But better to go for a radical alternative than continue with the same failed governmental system which has brought us to this point in time.

“It is no longer enough to mitigate poverty. We have to take steps to eradicate it.”