More than 98% of youngsters in East Renfrewshire who left school last year are now in “positive destinations,” according to new statistics from the Scottish Government.

The data highlights the number of school leavers who went on to find work, secure training or continue their education.

And East Renfrewshire is outperforming the national average, with a figure of 98.4%, compared to 95.7% for Scotland as a whole.

The figures have been welcomed by Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur, whose constituency includes Barrhead, Neilston and Uplawmoor.

He said: “These figures show that the Scottish Government’s education recovery plan is working and young people in Renfrewshire South are continuing to succeed, despite unprecedented challenges in recent years.

“They also show good progress in closing the poverty-related gap, with the gap between those from the least and most deprived areas going on to a positive destination at a record low.

“These encouraging numbers are testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our teachers, parents and young people and are something everyone in the community should be proud of.”