How is the SNP closing the attainment gap?

The SNP has made progress in closing the attainment gap and has plans to close it further. As the Scottish Government the SNP has invested £1 billion since 2021 through the Scottish attainment challenge. As a result, we are seeing steady, incremental gains in attainment across the breadth of general education.

The Scottish Budget for 2026/27 is investing 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.

The proportion of pupils achieving the expected level in literacy and numeracy across primary and secondary schools has reached a new high. For numeracy, a record number of pupils across P1, P4 and P7 reached expected levels, while S3 also reached a new high. For literacy, achievement is also now at a record high in both primary and secondary.

The attainment gap between young people from the most and least deprived areas meeting standards in literacy has also reached a new low. The poverty-related attainment gap has narrowed at all levels of National Qualifications.

Through continued investment in the Scottish attainment challenge, the poverty-related gap for young people leaving school and going on to a positive destination has reduced by 60 per cent since 2009.

This progress is welcome, as each success of every young person from the most disadvantaged areas creates a route out of poverty. The rise in attainment and narrowing of the poverty-related gap shows that the SNP’s investment in education is making a difference where it matters most.