How Policy Commitments Link to Budget Spending Lines
Although disability isn’t named directly in the 2026–27 draft Budget, several spending lines clearly support the delivery of disability‑related employability commitments. We outline these below and highlight the possible impacts on disabled people.
1. Halving the Disability Employment Gap
Policy Basis
- Commitment to halving the DEG. [gov.scot]
- DEG reduction sits within the Fair Work Action Plan. [gov.scot]
Budget Link: College & Skills Funding (+£70m)
- Colleges receive a £70 million uplift (+10%) in resource and capital funding, strengthening training pathways. [gov.scot]
Impact on disabled people:
- More accessible learning routes,
- More vocational programmes aligned to labour shortages – a documented barrier for disabled workers.
2. Specialist Employability Support
Policy Basis
- Specialist support across all 32 councils to help disabled people access sustainable work. [gov.scot]
- Strong commitment to removing structural barriers. [gov.scot]
Budget Links
- a) Local Government Settlement (£15.7bn)
- Local government receives £15.7 billion, part of which funds local employability and inclusion services.
- b) Integrated Public Sector Pay & Workforce Policy
- New workforce planning approach supports inclusive recruitment and workforce reform. [gov.scot]
Impact on disabled people:
- Sustains specialist employability teams and Supported Employment models,
- Ensures capacity for personalised, long‑term support.
3. Pathways Into Sustainable and Fair Work
Policy Basis
- National frameworks commit to creating sustainable, fair work pathways for disabled people. [gov.scot]
Budget Links
- a) Apprenticeships (31,000 places)
- The Budget funds over 31,000 apprenticeship opportunities. [gov.scot]
- b) Targeted Retraining for Workers in Transition
- Funding helps retrain workers, especially from oil and gas. [gov.scot]
Impact on disabled people:
- Accessible apprenticeship pathways,
- Retraining routes aligned with changing labour markets, where disabled workers often face higher displacement risks.
Final Takeaway
Scotland’s wider employability, equality, and Fair Work frameworks contain robust commitments to improving employment outcomes for disabled people. While the 2026–27 draft Budget doesn’t name disability explicitly, it funds the infrastructure, training pathways, and local systems that enable these commitments to be delivered.
In practice, this means:
- More accessible skills and training opportunities,
- Sustained specialist employability services,
- Inclusive workforce planning,
- Expanded pathways into sustainable, fair work.
Scotland’s policy and budget landscapes remain deeply interconnected – and together, they continue to push forward the goal of building a fairer labour market for disabled people.
Links to more information:
