Family Fund’s Response To The Scottish Budget 2026/27

On Tuesday, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Shona Robison MSP, delivered the Scottish Government’s Budget in the Scottish Parliament. 

The Budget sets out Scottish Government’s spending plans for the coming year. It forms the basis of the Budget Bill, which must pass through the parliamentary process before these spending plans can be implemented. 

Family Fund’s Policy and Public Affairs team has been reviewing the Budget to understand how its proposals will affect families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people in Scotland. The key points included:  

• Uprating the Scottish Child Payment (SCP) in line with inflation to £28.20 per week per child. 

• A new Scottish Child Payment premium for babies under one is being developed for 2027–28, increasing support to £40 per week for around 12,000 children. 

• Continued funding for Best Start Grants and Discretionary Housing Payments will help families with essential costs, including housing shortfalls caused by UK welfare rules. 

• The Budget includes £40 million for sport and physical activity, including a “Summer of Sport” and free-swimming lessons, offering opportunities for children to take part, though accessibility for disabled children will be key.  

• Over £57 million is allocated for additional support for learning, alongside continued funding for free school meals and expanded breakfast clubs in primary schools. 

• £473 million will fund concessionary travel, maintaining free bus travel for disabled people and young people under 22, and removing peak rail fares. 

At Family Fund, we know that families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people too often experience financial insecurity. Addressing this requires changes in government policy, alongside improvements in how national policies are delivered locally. 

Our 2025 Cost of Caring research found that 45% of families who responded were experiencing income insufficiency, meaning they were unable to meet day-to-day expenses despite receiving disability benefits. 

Families raising disabled children are one of the six priority groups identified in the Scottish Government’s Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan. We hope to see clear actions and targeted support flowing from this recognition in the forthcoming 2026–2031 Delivery Plan, due for publication in March. This should include measures relating to employability, digital poverty, access to adequate and appropriate social care and childcare, and the increased daily living costs associated with unavoidable disability-related expenses. 

In 2026, Family Fund’s Policy and Public Affairs team will continue to work with partners on these and other issues. We will create and share opportunities for families in Scotland to speak directly about their experiences and to be heard by decision-makers. These opportunities may include in-person, hybrid or online meetings and events, surveys and research projects, information sessions, and practical resources. 

We welcome your ideas about the kinds of opportunities, information and support you need to feel seen, heard and meaningfully included in government-level decisions on the issues that matter to you. Send us an email at [email protected] or drop a comment below to share your thoughts.