Moorlands MP, Karen Bradley has welcomed the Government’s plans to make it
even easier for employers of all sizes to join its flagship £2 billion Kickstart
Scheme, which has already created more than 120,000 Kickstart jobs across the
UK.
The Government’s Kickstart Scheme is designed to give young people at risk of
long-term unemployment a future of hope and opportunity by creating high-
quality, government-subsidised jobs across the UK, supporting them into work as
it delivers on its commitment to level up the entire country.
Introduced as part of the Plan for Jobs, the Kickstart Scheme allows employers to
offer young people between 16 and 24 who are on Universal Credit a six-month
work placement that is fully funded by the Government.
Under this scheme, the Government will pay 100 per cent of the young person’s
age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension
contributions for 25 hours a week, which the employer can top up if they choose
to. In addition, the Government will pay £1,500 per Kickstarter taken on to cover
any associated set up costs.
Since it first launched in September, the Government has been working with
companies across a wide range of sectors to create over 120,000 Kickstart jobs;
and in encouraging more employers to join, it is now making it even easier for
companies of all sizes to apply for any number of vacancies.
From February, businesses can apply to the scheme for any number of
placements, with the 30 vacancies minimum threshold removed so they can sign
up directly. Employers can still apply through one of the over 600 Kickstart
gateway organisations including local authorities, charities and trade bodies, that
have supported them in applying for funding for 29 or less job placements
through the scheme.
Karen Bradley MP said:
“The Government’s Kickstart Scheme is a clear demonstration that we are putting
young people at the heart of our plans to build back better.
“By investing in their potential, we can put thousands of young people on the
path to a brighter future, and I would urge as many employers as possible in the
Moorlands to sign up.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak said:
“Young people are among the hardest hit in times like these, which is why we’re
doing everything we can to ensure they’re not left without hope or opportunity.
“The Kickstart Scheme is central to this. Since opening for applications last
Autumn, we’ve worked with some of the most exciting companies to create more
than 120,000 Kickstart jobs – which is a huge vote of confidence in our young
people at a challenging time.
“With £2 billion available and no limit on the number of places, it’s now easier
than ever for businesses across Great Britain to take part. Join us as we harness
the talents of the new generation of kickstarters.”
Work and Pensions Secretary, Thérèse Coffey said:
“Kickstart has moved up a gear and I encourage employers to join us and invest in
the next generation of talent by joining our Kickstart Scheme.
“By removing the threshold of a minimum 30 jobs for direct applications, we are
making it even simpler to get involved.
“Now is the time to prepare for post-lockdown placements and employers will
now have a choice to apply direct or through one of our 600 fantastic Kickstart
gateways who may be locally connected or sector-specific providing that tailored
support”.
