A £90 million investment aimed at tackling long term unemployment, boosting economic growth and reducing child poverty has been set out by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.
The funding, included in the draft Scottish Budget for 2026 to 2027, is expected to help up to 7,500 people who are furthest from the labour market into work, with thousands more supported through qualifications and training.
The measures focus on removing barriers to employment faced by parents, disabled people and those who have been out of work for extended periods.
The package includes £40 million to help parents most at risk of poverty into jobs and training, £5 million for specialist services supporting disabled people into sustained employment, and £39 million for the No One Left Behind programme.
A new national marketing campaign will also be launched to provide parents with advice and support to help them return to work.
Speaking during a visit to McTaggart Construction, a firm involved in delivering training through the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind approach, Forbes highlighted the role of employers in supporting people back into work.
“Our employability services are helping people into work who may otherwise face barriers to employment due to factors such as illness, disability or simply taking time out to have a family.
“With the involvement of employers like McTaggart Construction, we are building people’s confidence and providing access to new skills.
“Tackling economic inactivity is a win-win situation, it boosts the economy and tackles child poverty by providing families with a secure income and our £90 million Budget commitment will enable more people to access employment support.”
Liam Long, who secured training and then a full time job at McTaggart Construction after being out of work due to illness, said:
“Coming through the All in Glasgow programme and First Step Future Training gave me the opportunity to get my foot in the door.
“That placement opened the door to a permanent role with McTaggart Construction.
“I’ve just become a dad, and the two weeks’ paternity pay meant everything to me.
“I’m proud to work for a company that genuinely invests in its people and supports them through moments in life.”
Between April 2019 and June 2025, Scotland’s employability services supported 28,699 people into jobs, with more than 13,000 entering further education or training.
Over the same period, 17,513 people gained a qualification, 6,142 started work experience placements and 3,175 entered volunteering.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show Scotland’s unemployment rate stood at 3.7 percent between September and November 2025, compared with a UK wide rate of 5.1 percent.
The Parent Club campaign will focus on encouraging parents experiencing financial pressure to seek advice on work opportunities, childcare and managing household costs.
