MICHAEL GOVE has been slated for helping push communities into poverty after the Tory minister praised a scheme to provide football tickets to unemployed and low-income families.

The Cabinet Office Minister was slammed by hundreds of fans after commending Motherwell FC for their raising of money for free season tickets for those struggling financially. 

Fans gathered more than £58,000 towards the “Well In” scheme, with the club matching all funds raised. 

The MP’s intervention prompted hundreds of responses on social media, including dozens of Motherwell fans urging Mr Gove to “f*** off” and calling for the club to block the “Tory rat.”

Central Scotland Green MSP Gillian Mackay applauded the club’s inclusive scheme and fundraising efforts, but warned that the economic struggles in the area were of the Tories’ making. 

She told the Star: “It’s great Michael Gove noticed, but he must have a short memory. 

“Thatcher’s deindustrialisation was a catalyst for mass unemployment in this area and Gove should reflect on the policies of his government that forced whole communities into poverty and made community efforts like this all the more necessary.”