Scottish students from low-income families will be offered cash incentives to stay in school beyond 16, under plans which were set to be announced on Tuesday.

A new education maintenance allowance of up to £30 a week will be introduced across Scotland, after trials in East Ayrshire, West Dunbartonshire and Glasgow.

The new scheme, which Conservatives have branded a bribe, is expected to affect 40,000 pupils at a cost to the executive of £49 million over the next four years.

Pupils at households earning less than £19,600 will receive the full £30, while those from households earning up to £24,000 will receive £20, and those whose parents earn up to £30,000 will receive £10.

However, schools will be able to withold the cash if attendance is not maintained.

"It offers a choice for young people who otherwise would perhaps have to go out and get employment and wouldn't be able to fulfil their own ambitions," said deputy first minister Jim Wallace.

"There's been a link between lower participation rates and lower levels of attainment relating to pupils on lower incomes, what we're now trying to do is to address that."