THE Scottish Government has unveiled £90 million of investment to tackle economic inactivity.
The funding, which comes as part of the Scottish budget for 2026-27, is expected to help 7,500 people furthered from the labour market into work, with the Scottish Government adding that thousands more are 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, and £39 million for No One Left Behind to support people furthest from work towards employment.
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, Kate Forbes, deputy first minister, 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, commented, “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.”
