Businesses, charities and innovators across Scotland are being invited to bid for a share of a new £60 million UK fund aimed at finding better ways to help disabled people and those with long term health conditions enter, remain and progress in work.
Applications to the Pathways to Work Innovation Fund are open until 26 October, with organisations being encouraged to put forward ambitious ideas capable of removing barriers which prevent people from finding or remaining in employment.
The fund will provide up to £60 million over two years to test new approaches, with projects expected to generate evidence about what works and whether successful ideas could eventually be adopted more widely.
Potential projects could range from new uses of artificial intelligence for employment support and job matching to digital therapies, prosthetics, vocational training and other approaches designed around the needs of disabled people and those living with health conditions.
UK Government figures accompanying the Scottish launch put the number of people out of work in Scotland because of long term sickness at around 776,100, giving the programme particular significance north of the border.
The fund is open to businesses, charities, voluntary and community organisations, public sector bodies and partnerships, with no minimum or maximum amount specified for individual applications.
Successful projects will be expected to run within 12 months of signing their funding agreement, with money available until the end of March 2028.
An expert panel including Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson will help assess proposals, with the government saying the experiences of disabled people will play an important role in deciding which ideas receive support.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:
“We want the best ideas from business, charities and disabled people themselves across Scotland and beyond, to help us transform employment support and make sure no talent is left behind.
“These ideas will help us support disabled people in work, helping them to thrive and fulfil their full potential, driving growth across every postcode.”
Baroness Grey-Thompson said:
“We know that with the right support, disabled people can and do thrive in the workplace.
“This is a real opportunity to back the bold, creative ideas that can make that happen, and I would urge businesses, charities and innovators across the country to come forward with their best thinking.
“Helping shape this Fund matters to me because finding and keeping work matters enormously, not just for individual wellbeing and independence, but for society as a whole.”
The programme forms part of a wider £3.5 billion UK Government employment support package for disabled people and those with health conditions.
Sir Charlie Mayfield, who authored the Keep Britain Working Review and is co chair of the programme bearing the same name, said economic inactivity caused by health conditions was costing the UK economy £212 billion each year.
He said:
“But this is fixable.
“We need ambitious, creative approaches to help disabled people and those with health conditions get into and stay in work.
“If you’re a business, a charity, or an innovator, this is your chance to bid for funding and test genuinely new ways of transforming employment support.”
Applications close on 26 October, with shortlisted organisations expected to be given an opportunity to refine their proposals during November before funding decisions begin to be announced from January 2027.
The Pathways to Work Innovation Fund opened for bids on 28 September, with full details of how to apply available at: Pathways to Work Innovation Fund: applicant bid pack – GOV.UK
