Publication of the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government
Last week, First Minister John Swinney delivered the 2025-2026 Programme for Government to the Scottish Parliament.
Typically delivered in September, the Programme for Government was brought forward due to the Scottish Parliament election in May 2026. It outlines the Scottish Government’s plans for the period up to the election, including its legislative programme, with a focus on:
Growing the economy
Eradicating child poverty
Tackling the climate emergency
Providing high quality and sustainable public services
Growing Scotland’s tech sector is key to driving wider economic growth and techUK welcomes many of the actions outlined in the Programme for Government. This includes their plans to deliver a sector export plan for technology, establish a Technology Council and launch a new national programme in the form of AI Scotland.
Actions that will be of interest to techUK members and the wider technology sector are outlined below.
Innovation
Implementing the Pathways report in order to increase the number of women starting and scaling businesses. The author of the Pathways report will be speaking at techUK’s upcoming Meet the Investors event in Glasgow on 17 June. Find out more here.
Launching a new national programme, AI Scotland - with input from key stakeholders such as industry - as well as an AI adoption programme for SMEs. techUK has a collection of UK AI adoption case studies showcasing examples of how organisations are Putting AI into Action. To view the case studies, and find out more about our work on AI, click here.
Creating a Technology Council consisting of academic and business experts who will offer guidance in relation to emerging technologies.
Launch the First Minister’s Start-up Challenge, supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to start and scale innovative businesses.
The Scottish Government plans to implement a new Six Point Export Plan:
Helping organisations to grow internationally through an ‘International Growth Support Programme’
Delivering Sector Export Plans for Technology, Life Sciences, Renewables and Hydrogen, which will look at how challenges such as funding research and in-market promotion can be overcome
Demonstrating Scotland’s export market through inward missions and increasing overseas missions to help businesses access their target markets
Increasing access to business membership organisations who can now bid for support for trade missions to certain markets
Creating a US Export Plan and offering assistance to those exporting to the country
Demonstrate investment opportunities to investors and offer a single point of entry to government through a new portal, ‘InvestScotland’
Enhancing inward investment activity, in order to bring more scaling companies to Scotland – with a focus on Silicon Valley and other tech hubs – and strengthen the fintech sector
By the end of 2025, the Scottish Government will launch the first version of its health and social care app and publish plans for the broader ‘personalised digital health and social care service’.
The roll-out of the National Digital Dermatology pathway to health boards across Scotland is due to be completed by the end of Spring 2025.
“The Bill will clarify the status of digital assets as property in Scots private law, to provide greater legal certainty for individuals and for businesses including those investing in digital assets, for technology and financial start-ups, as well as for the legal sector.”
If you would like to find out more about techUK’s work in Scotland, please contact [email protected]
Matt Robinson
Head of Nations and Regions, techUK
Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience across the nations and regions. Visit the programme page here
Local Digital Index 2024
Read our analysis of digital ecosystems across the UK in 2024.
Meet the Investors is a series of events helping UK tech SMEs navigate scale-up finance. Each event connects SMEs with investors and experts to share insights, funding tips, and networking opportunities.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Francesca Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
