Councillors unanimously backed a call for significant changes to work and public services in West Dunbartonshire.

Community Party councillor Jim Bollan raised a motion at West Dunbartonshire Council's December 21 meeting over the STUC's "Scotland Demands Better" campaign.

It urged the council to back the nine-point plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

Councillors acknowledged there was much that was beyond their control, locally, particularly as they struggle to find enough cash to keep the lights on.

But they backed the points and agreed to write to other local authorities urging them to do the same.

The nine points were:

- A real pay rise for all public service workers;

- A social security system that loosens the grip of poverty;

- Warm homes, through municipal energy companies;

- Sustained action to tackle rent costs;

- Share the wealth, through income, wealth and business taxes;

- Universal free school meals;

- Cheap, publicly controlled public transport

- More support for childcare;

- Enforcement of "fair work".

Labour councillor David McBride, seconding Cllr Bollan's motion, said: "This is going to take action from all levels to make these changes. It's certainly something we should be campaigning for."

When the STUC launched its campaign in October, General Secretary Roz Foyer said: "This campaign represents the voices of our communities. Government cannot abandon them in their hour of need and we’re seeking an urgent meeting with the First Minister to directly support workers impacted by this crisis.

“Whilst Westminster remains unwilling and uncaring to help ordinary workers, the Scottish Government must take a different path.

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, added: “We want to put justice and compassion back at the heart of public life in Scotland – so we can build support for practical action to tackle poverty.

“With this plan, we can start to rebuild and renew our social security, boost incomes for workers, invest in the public services we all rely on, and give people the urgent help they need with rocketing costs.

“This crisis is a moment for decision for all of us – and especially our politicians. We can create a better Scotland where poverty is a thing of the past.”