Scottish Labour’s 2026 election manifesto, released ahead of the Scottish Parliament Election in May, places technology and digital skills at the centre of its vision for the country. The document outlines a comprehensive plan to modernise the National Health Service (NHS), boost business productivity through digital adoption, and close the digital skills gap that has left many Scots unable to fully participate in an increasingly connected society.
Central to the manifesto is a £680m fund dedicated to digital and technological improvements within the NHS. The party promises to accelerate the development of Scotland’s own NHS app, ensuring every health board can deploy it within 100 days of the election. A virtual hospital programme will allow patients to attend outpatient consultations from home, reducing travel burdens and freeing up clinical capacity. The manifesto also calls for a single patient record that can be seamlessly shared across care settings, ending the current reliance on paper-based systems. “For too long, Scotland’s NHS has remained stuck in the analogue age,” the document states. “Scottish Labour will realise the benefits of modern technology and digital working.”
Beyond the app and virtual wards, Labour pledges to expand the use of wearable technology so patients can monitor chronic conditions—such as diabetes or hypertension—without needing to see a GP. Investment in AI-enabled scanners promises to improve diagnostic accuracy and speed, particularly in radiology and pathology. These initiatives aim to reduce waiting times and shift the NHS from a reactive to a proactive care model.
Outside the health service, the manifesto focuses on digital skills and business support. The party plans to deliver £15m in digital adoption funding to help small and medium-sized enterprises improve their productivity through tools like cloud computing, e-commerce platforms, and automated workflows. A single industrial strategy, developed in partnership with businesses, will provide a coherent framework for innovation and growth. “Innovation helps Scottish businesses stay competitive, open new markets and build resilient local supply chains,” the manifesto notes. “Technological innovation does not stand still and so neither can Scotland if our growing tech sector is to thrive.”
A cornerstone of this industrial strategy is the expansion of the Techscaler programme—a network of incubators first launched by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon in July 2022. Currently operating in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Stirling, Aberdeen, Dumfries and Inverness, Techscaler provides startups with mentorship, office space, and access to investors. Labour wants to extend the network to areas where geographic gaps exist, prioritising regions where the programme can “have most impact on business growth”. The party also vows dedicated support for creative technology businesses, from video game developers to digital content studios, to help them scale.
Digital skills are another major theme. The flagship initiative is the Digital Skills Passport—a secure, portable record of an individual’s qualifications, work experience, and training that can be shared with employers and used to move between jobs. Apprentices will also be able to use the passport, making it easier for them to demonstrate their competencies. The manifesto further commits to embedding digital skills in the school curriculum, so students learn how to ethically use technology, navigate AI risks, and understand social media’s impact. Alongside this, Labour promises to ban mobile phones in classrooms to reduce distractions and improve focus.
Addressing digital exclusion, the manifesto acknowledges that “digital access and skills are crucial for participation in modern society, but the urgency to tackle digital exclusion has been lost.” To combat this, Labour proposes a network of digital mentors—volunteers stationed in community spaces such as supermarkets, libraries, and community centres—offering targeted assistance to those less likely to seek help. The party also plans to create “digital playgrounds” in public spaces like libraries and museums, where young people can safely engage with technology, from coding kits to VR headsets.
Every local authority will be required to appoint a digital champion responsible for coordinating digital inclusion policy and connectivity efforts. This local leadership, combined with national programmes, aims to close the digital divide and ensure that no one is left behind as Scotland’s economy and public services digitise.
The manifesto projects that these measures could close Scotland’s economic performance gap and deliver between £600m and £700m in additional spending on public services by 2030/31. “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,” the document states. “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.”
The publication of the manifesto comes against a backdrop of increasing political focus on technology in Scotland. The previous Scottish government had already launched a joint local and central government digital strategy, which included plans for a personalised public services app, an ethical AI framework, and increased public sector data sharing. Labour’s proposals build on that foundation while adding new commitments such as the Digital Skills Passport and the classroom phone ban.
Critics may question the feasibility of delivering such ambitious digital projects within fixed budgets, especially given the current economic pressures on public finances. However, Labour argues that the upfront investment will be recouped through long-term productivity gains and reduced administrative costs. The party points to international examples—such as Estonia’s digital-first public services and Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative—as proof that large-scale digital transformation can deliver measurable benefits.
With the election less than a month away, the tech sector will be watching closely. Startup founders, IT professionals, and digital inclusion advocates have all expressed cautious optimism about the manifesto’s promises. Whether those promises translate into concrete policy will depend on the election outcome and the subsequent budget negotiations. For now, Scottish Labour has staked out a clear position: that technology, when used responsibly and inclusively, can be a powerful engine for economic growth, better public services, and a fairer society.
Source: ComputerWeekly.com News