Scottish Labour’s 2026 manifesto vows to upskill and invest in tech
Scottish Labour’s 2026 election manifesto makes a significant pledge to improve the National Health Service (NHS) through technology, increase funding for digital adoption among businesses, and expand the country’s Techscaler programme. The manifesto, published ahead of the May 2026 Scottish Parliament Election, places a heavy emphasis on modernising the NHS, which has long been described as stuck in the analogue age.
NHS digital transformation
The centrepiece of the health commitments is a £680 million fund dedicated specifically to digital and technological improvements within the NHS. This includes speeding up the development of Scotland’s own NHS app, with a target for every health board to be using the app within 100 days of the election. Scottish Labour also plans to create a virtual hospital programme that allows patients to attend outpatient consultations from their homes, reducing the need for travel and freeing up clinical capacity. Furthermore, the party promises the creation of a single patient record, ensuring that medical data is seamlessly shared across different parts of the health service.
According to the manifesto: “For too long, Scotland’s NHS has remained stuck in the analogue age. Scottish Labour will realise the benefits of modern technology and digital working.” The party also intends to expand the use of wearable technology, enabling patients to monitor chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease without having to visit a GP. Investment in AI-enabled scanners is also promised, which could accelerate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Business digital adoption and industrial strategy
Beyond healthcare, Scottish Labour pledges £15 million in digital adoption funding to help businesses improve their productivity through technology. This is part of a wider push to launch a single industrial strategy, developed in partnership with businesses, aimed at boosting economic performance across the country. The manifesto states: “Innovation helps Scottish businesses stay competitive, open new markets and build resilient local supply chains. Technological innovation does not stand still and so neither can Scotland if our growing tech sector is to thrive.”
The Techscaler programme, originally launched by former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in July 2022, will be expanded. The network currently includes incubators in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Stirling, Aberdeen, Dumfries, and Inverness. Scottish Labour wants to prioritise areas where there are geographic gaps and where the programme can “have most impact on business growth”. Dedicated support for creative technology businesses is also in the pipeline, helping them scale and access new markets.
Skills, education and digital inclusion
Key to the manifesto is the introduction of a Digital Skills Passport – a digital record of a person’s skill level, formal qualifications, work experience and training. This passport can be shared with employers and used to move between jobs, and will also be available to students doing apprenticeships. In schools, Labour vows to embed digital skills in the curriculum, teaching students how to ethically use technology and navigate risks associated with AI and social media. A ban on mobile phones in classrooms is also proposed.
The manifesto acknowledges the urgency of tackling digital exclusion, stating: “Digital access and skills are crucial for participation in modern society, but the urgency to tackle digital exclusion has been lost. We want Scotland to realise the benefits of new technology and digitisation, so Scottish Labour will provide the leadership needed to tackle digital poverty.” Plans include a digital mentors’ network with volunteers in community spaces such as supermarkets and libraries, offering targeted assistance to people less likely to seek help. Additionally, “digital playgrounds” – public spaces equipped with digital equipment – will be created in libraries and museums where young people can safely engage with technology.
Every local authority will also have to identify a digital champion responsible for coordinating digital inclusion policy and connectivity. Scottish Labour estimates that the plan can close the economic performance gap and deliver between £600 and £700 million to spend on public services by 2030/31. As the manifesto concludes: “This economic growth would be delivered through our plans to transform skills and employability, overhaul planning, increase innovation and improve productivity through adoption of new technologies. This would all be underpinned by our new industrial strategy and a relentless focus on business growth from the Cabinet down to refocused government agencies.”
Source: ComputerWeekly.com News