About Inverclyde

Inverclyde is located in West Central Scotland and is one of the most attractive places in Scotland to live and work, with 61 square miles stretching along the south bank of the estuary of the River Clyde. The area offers spectacular views and scenery, a wide range of sporting and leisure opportunities, a vibrant housing market and well developed transport links to Glasgow and the rest of Scotland.

Inverclyde is one of the smallest local authorities in Scotland, with a population of 80,310. The main towns of Greenock, Port Glasgow and Gourock sit on the Firth of the Clyde. The towns provide a marked contrast to the small coastal settlements of Inverkip and Wemyss Bay, which lie to the South West of the area, and the picturesque rural villages of Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s Village which are located further inland, offering a further dimension to the area’s diversity.

A strong sense of community identity exists in Inverclyde and local residents are proud of the area and its history, which is steeped incenturies of maritime and industrial endeavour. We want to develop and enhance the strong community spirit that exists in Inverclyde.Source: ‘Inspiring Inverclyde’ Inverclyde Alliance Community Plan 2008 – 2018.

The 2013 population of Inverclyde is 80,310; a decrease of 0.5 per cent from 80,680 in 2012 and accounts for 1.5 per cent of the total population of Scotland. Since 1987, Inverclyde's total population has fallen overall, whilst Scotland's population has risen over this period.

In Inverclyde, 21.3% of the total population are aged 0-19 years according to the 2013 GRO mid-year estimates.

Projected Population, by age groups, in Inverclyde 2012-20

By 2037 the population of Inverclyde is projected to be 65,014, a decrease of 19.4 per cent compared to the population in 2012. The population of Scotland is projected to increase by 8.8 per cent between 2012 and 2037.

The population aged under 16 in Inverclyde is projected to decline by 31.6 per cent over the 25 year period. This will be a gradual 5 yearly percentage decrease 5.1% between 2012- 2017; 3.3% 2017- 2022; 7.6% 2022-2027; 8.9% 2027-2032; and 11.4% 2032- 2037.

In 2013, 754 babies were born in Inverclyde, 356 males and 398 females.  This represents a percentage drop of -1.6% in the number of births from the previous year which is a slower drop when compared to the Scotland percentage drop of -3.5%.    

Socio-Economic Profile: SIMD Challenges for Inverclyde

National Share of most deprived areas:  The number of data zones in Scotland’s 15% most deprived which belong to Inverclyde has increased slightly over the four editions of SIMD. In SIMD 2012, 44 (4.5%) of the 976 data zones in the 15% most deprived data zones in Scotland were in Inverclyde, compared to 42 (4.3%) in both SIMD 2009 and SIMD 2006, and 36 (3.7%) in SIMD 2004.

Local Share of most deprived areas:  In SIMD 2012, 44 of Inverclyde's 104 data zones (42%)  were within the 15% most deprived in Scotland, compared to 42 (40%) in both SIMD 2009 and SIMD 2006, and 36 (35%) in SIMD 2004. In the West Scotland region, the local authority with the smallest proportion of its data zones in Scotland’s 15% most deprived is East Renfrewshire (no data zones), while the local authority with the highest proportion is Inverclyde (42%). 

The most deprived data zone in Inverclyde is in the intermediate zone of Port Glasgow Mid, East and Central.  It has a rank of 115, meaning that it is in the 5% most deprived in Scotland. 

It is important to recognise that the SIMD Index is a ranking system, so improvements made in any given local authority area need to exceed improvements in others if the ranking position is to improve.

Income Deprived: According to the SIMD 2012 report for Inverclyde 18% of the population are income deprived in comparison to the West of Scotland at 14.2% and Scotland at 13.4%. 

Employment Deprived:  19.1% of the population are employment deprived compared to the West of Scotland percentage at 14.9% and the Scotland percentage at 12.8%. Source: SG Greenock and Inverclyde SIMD 2012  

Economic Inactivity:  12,800 people in Inverclyde during the period Jan-Dec 2013 were classified as ‘economically inactive’.   Of this total 4,600 were ‘long term sick’ which represents 36.1% compared to 28.8% in Scotland as a whole. Source: Nomis Inverclyde Profile 2013

Key Benefit Claimants:  10,540 adults in Inverclyde were claiming benefits at November 2013.  This equates to 20% of the 16-64 population of Inverclyde compared to Scotland at 15%.    Of this total, 8,750 were in receipt of key out of work benefits.  Included in this group are Job Seekers, Employment Support Allowance and incapacity benefits, lone parent and other income related benefits.  This equates to 16.8% compared to 12% in Scotland. Source: Nomis Inverclyde Profile 2013

Health Profile

Life Expectancy and Mortality: The latest study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published in April 2014 shows that Inverclyde is second worst in the UK for life expectancy.  The average life expectancy at birth from 2010-12 for men in Inverclyde is 73.7 years and 79.9 for women. It means the area’s male population has the second worst outlook in the UK — just behind Glasgow on 72.6 years — with women faring only slightly better at 397th out of all 404 local authorities across the nation.  The Scotland average is 76.6 years for males and 80.83 years for females.   The main causes of death recorded in Inverclyde in 2012 were cancer followed by circulatory disease.  

Some Key Health Statistics

  • A 10 year old boy in Inverclyde can expect to live to age 64.89 compared to the Scotland average age of 67.28 years
  • The  percentage of mothers smoking in pregnancy fell to 18.3% at December 2014 exceeding the 20% target set by NHSGG&
  • 38.6% of mothers in Inverclyde were breastfeeding at birth at December 2014 and improved at the 6-8 week period for all and those in deprived areas.
  • 91% of all 3-5 year olds and 57% of all 0-2 year olds were registered with a dentist at December 2014
  • 100% of all nurseries in Inverclyde have a tooth brushing programme in place
  • 100% of primary schools participate in tooth brushing programmes in P1 & P2.

Looked after Children

The rate per 1,000 children looked after by the local authority in Inverclyde (18) is significantly higher than the Scottish average (14.7).  However, our percentage of looked after children within the community was 90% at the last published reporting period 2012-13 placing us in the 2nd Quartile and ranking 14 out of 32 within Scotland.  We strive to ensure that children who need to be looked after remain in their own communities whenever possible.  Close monitoring ensures that we continue to exceed our local target of 88% for this measure. Source: ISD SOLACE benchmarking metadata published 2014 

Looked after Children at 31st July 2014 

  • 237 children were looked after in Inverclyde at 31st July 2014
  • 88% were looked after in community type placements
  • 100% of all looked after children had a care plan in place.

During the reporting year 2013-2014

  • 258 child protection case conferences were held during 2013/14
  • 146 child protection investigations were conducted during 2013/14
  • 68 of Inverclyde children were placed on the child protection register during 2013/14
  • 65 children were deregistered from the child protection register during 2013/14
  • 27 children were on the child protection register as at  31st July 2014
  • 112 causes of concern were identified for these children on the register as follows: (average 4.2 per child)
  • 100% of all Children who are Looked at home or Away from home in Inverclyde have a Care Plan

Child Protection

  • 169 Children were subject of a child protection referral during 2014-15,  a decrease from 154 for the previous year
  • 30% of all Children who were subject to a Child Protection referral during 2014-15 was placed on the Child Protection Register, a decrease from 35.7% for the previous reporting year. 
  • 33% of case conferences held during 2013/14 and 2014/15 identified ‘parental alcohol misuse’  
  • 51.7% of case conferences held during 2014/15 identified ‘parental drug misuse’ and increase from 42.4% in the previous year.

Children’s Hearing

  • 75% of social background reports were submitted to the Scottish Children’s reporter during 2013-15 on time.

Academic Attainment

  • 93% of Looked after Children gained at least one subject at SCQF level 3 or better in 2013-14 diet for examination and increase from 62% in the previous year.
  • SPI 054aK: % of looked after children who achieved at least one qualification at SCQF Level 3 or better in the current diet for examinations - the 2014/15 figure is 91%, against a target of 98%
  • 65% of looked after children gained both English and Maths at SCQF level 3 or better by end S4 in 2013/14 a decrease from 87% in the previous year.
  • SPI 054bK: % of looked after children who achieved SCQF Level 3 or better in English and Mathematics by the end of S4 - the 2014/15 figure is 76.9%, against a target of 70%

Aftercare Services Young People

  • 51.2% of young people receiving aftercare services at July 2014 were economic active, and in 'education, training or employment'