Supporting Education and Skills
Investment of £3.5 billion in budget.
Additional funding to support colleges, universities and protect teacher numbers will target investment where it has “the greatest impact in maintaining our focus on tackling attainment and skills”, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has said.
The core commitment to addressing child poverty is supported by new funding for breakfast clubs, as well as continued investment in 1,140 hours a year of funded early learning and childcare (ELC) to all three- and four-year-olds, and eligible children from the age of 2.
The Scottish Government’s 2026-27 draft budget provides £3.5 billion across the Education and Skills portfolio as part of the a continued commitment to improve outcomes for pupils and students.
The spending plans also support the ongoing process of reform in the Education and Skills sector to strengthen resilience across the system.
Key measures set out in the Budget this week include:
- An increase of £70 million in college funding, equivalent to a 10% increase on last year’s budget
- For universities, a total rise of more than £55 million, up 5% on last year
- Up to £200 million in the Scottish Attainment Challenge Programme, including Pupil Equity Funding to schools, to further improve outcomes of children and young people impacted by poverty.
- Up to £20 million for the University of Dundee to support its recovery plan
- Additional investment of £15 million in breakfast club delivery in 2026-27 – to build to a national offer by August 2027
- Funding for ASN provision, protecting teacher numbers and supporting children and families with ASN
- Allocating £1 million to support the development of local pilots to test approaches to reducing class contact time
Ms Gilruth said
“This is a Budget that targets investment where it has the greatest impact in maintaining our focus on attainment and skills, while addressing our core mission to tackle child poverty.
“At a critical time, this budget delivers a significant real terms increase in our investment in colleges and universities so that people of all ages have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
“Schools are delivering literacy and numeracy attainment at the highest levels on record, with sustained progress in narrowing the poverty-related attainment gap through the Scottish Attainment Challenge. Attendance has improved, class sizes are smaller, and there are more teachers in Scotland’s classrooms.
“This budget builds on these gains by protecting teacher numbers, supporting workforce stability and ensuring that staffing levels continue to support high-quality teaching, learning and relationships in schools.”
Background
Pupil and teacher characteristics 2025 published - gov.scot
Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Levels, 2024-25 - gov.scot