Wolverhampton North East MP Jane Stevenson has welcomed the Government’s landmark new Kickstart scheme, and called on employers in the city to sign up and help young people into work.
The £2 billion scheme has been designed to ensure young people at risk of long-term unemployment have a future of opportunity and hope by creating quality, Government-subsidised jobs across the UK. It will also help to spur the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the scheme, announced in July as part of the Government’s Plan for Jobs, employers that sign up will be able to offer youngsters aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit a six month work placement that is fully funded by the Government.
This means the Government will pay 100% of the employee’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 also pay the employer £1,500 for each young person they take on, to support any training or associated costs such as uniforms that they might incur when setting up the scheme.
The Kickstart scheme will initially be open until December 2021, but there is the option for it to be extended. Young people will be referred into the new roles through their Jobcentre Plus work coach, with the first Kickstarts expected to begin at the start of November.
Jane said: “I am thrilled to see the launch of the Government’s £2 billion Kickstart scheme, and I’m calling on local employers across Wolverhampton to sign up and help our young people into jobs.
“We cannot allow anyone to be left behind as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and schemes such as this will be vital for creating jobs and giving young people the skills to access them.
“The Government has put young people at the heart of its plans to build our economy back stronger after the pandemic, and I know that there are many young people in Wolverhampton who could benefit from this Kickstart scheme. I hope as many of them as possible are able to take part.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP said: “This isn’t just about kickstarting our country’s economy – it is an opportunity to kickstart the careers of thousands of young people who could otherwise be left behind as a result of the pandemic.
“The scheme will open the door to a brighter future for a new generation and ensure the UK bounces back stronger as a country.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said: “Kickstart is the most ambitious youth employment programme in this country’s history, with an unlimited number of placements available and a commitment by this government to pay every Kickstarter’s wages for six months.
“We are putting young people at the heart of our recovery by investing in potential, opening up opportunities and harnessing hope.
“Together we will build back better, come back stronger and look forward to a prosperous future. Employers should sign up today.”
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