A PROBE has revealed that 1,000 Chromebooks given to school pupils in local schools to meet an SNP promise were paid for with council cash and not by the Scottish Government.

The SNP vowed to deliver a free laptop to every child as part of a pre-election vow in 2021 - but it emerged this week that NONE have been given out locally through the scheme.

The shock stat was revealed after Conservative Todd Ferguson challenged the SNP-run council administration in North Ayrshire over the number of devices delivered through the programme.

It was revealed that although 1,000 Chromebooks have been distributed to P5 and S2 pupils in this academic year, they have come from the council’s own funds.

Councillor Ferguson says recent freedom of information requests showed tens of thousands of devices have been given out across other council areas this year.

He added: “The SNP promised to give every child a laptop or tablet as part of its election 2021 manifesto promise.

“People may remember the Sunday Mail front page featuring the First Minister with the tagline ‘tech that’ which was quite a grand statement indeed.

“The information from other councils indicates they’ve already received significant numbers of devices from that specific fund.

“I appreciate there are budgetary pressures but that doesn’t explain why councils like Edinburgh have had 19,000 devices and we’ve had none.”

The Conservative councillor insists more needs to be done to secure laptops from the scheme to avoid disadvantaging young people in North Ayrshire.

He added: “It has turned the whole scheme into a postcode lottery and just seems bonkers that North Ayrshire, as an area of deprivation. has been ignored.

“The lack of devices makes it appear like our young people here are worth less, and that is just unacceptable.

“It shows that the Scottish Government is making funding available, but it seems dependant on what council area you live in as to whether you get anything.

“We need to make sure that our young people are not being disadvantaged compared to their peers in other local authorities.”

Cllr Shaun Macaulay, cabinet member for education, has vowed that any pupil needing a device will get one, whether it comes from Scottish Government or council funding.

He said: “Right now the Scottish Government is undertaking a review and engaging with councils to find out what support is already in place.

“I want to confirm to everyone that any young person that needs a device or wants one, it will be made available to them.

“That might be through North Ayrshire Council funds at present, but I think what’s important is when a young person needs a device that they will get one.”

Cllr Macaulay also confirmed that 1,000 Chromebook laptops have been ordered for this year’s P5 and S2 pupils, and will be ready for distribution after the Christmas holidays.