Tory Todd Ferguson has challenged North Ayrshire Council to increase the number of free laptops they give out to pupils as part of the SNP’s election manifesto promise.

Councillor Ferguson, who represents the North Coast asked at Wednesday’s full council meeting how many primary and secondary school pupils in North Ayrshire had received a free laptop or tablet as part of the election manifesto pledge.

Cabinet Member for Education, Shaun Macaulay said: “In the academic session 2021-22, North Ayrshire Council distributed 1,000 Chromebook laptops to people across all schools who needed them most in P5 and S2.

“The methodology for calculating the distribution model began with an analysis of indicators of personal deprivation, including footwear and clothing grants and free school meals, and was refined at school level to ensure that everyone in these year strategies who needed a device was able to see one.”

Opposition councillor Ferguson added: “The SNP promised to give every child a laptop or tablet as part of their 2021 election manifesto promise and I was a bit concerned about the number of laptops being distributed.

“There was an FOI response from this council in late August 2022 that they had still not received any digital devices.

“I’m a bit concerned we have had 1,000 delivered in the last month but it may be so.

“But other councils have received significant numbers of devices. Midlothian have delivered 18,110, West Dunbartonshire 10,198 and Edinburgh Council 19,000.

“Can I ask the Cabinet Portfolio Holder what he plans to do to ensure quicker delivery of devices on Scottish Government policy and ensure that our young people are not being disadvantaged compared with their peers in other local authorities.”

Councillor Macaulay responded:  “The Scottish Government are carrying out a review to see what support is in place but I can confirm that any young person who needs a device it can be made available to them.”