£90 million investment to tackle economic inactivity
A series of measures to address long-term unemployment, boost economic growth and tackle child poverty have been detailed by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.
Funding of £90 million in the draft Scottish Budget for 2026-27 is expected to help up to 7,500 people furthest from the labour market into work, with thousands more expected to benefit from qualifications and training.
Initiatives will include:
- A £40 million package to help parents most at risk of poverty into jobs and training courses
- Investment of £5 million in specialist services to help disabled people access and sustain meaningful employment
- £39 million for No One Left Behind to support people furthest from work towards employment
Ms Forbes also announced a major marketing campaign providing parents with advice to help them get back into work.
Visiting McTaggart Construction, a business which provides on-site training to help people into work as part of the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind approach, Ms Forbes said: “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, a new dad secured training and then a full-time job at McTaggart Construction with the support of No One Left Behind services after being out-of-work due to a period of 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.”
