CREATING JOBS FOR 16-24 YEAR OLDS
The Government’s £2 billion Kickstart scheme launches today and I’m hoping local employers across South West Hertfordshire to sign up to provide Kickstart jobs.
This £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, helping to spur the country’s economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the scheme, 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 per cent of the young persons’ age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week, which the employer can top up if they chose to. In addition, the Government will also pay the employer £1500 for each young person they take on, to support any training or associated costs like uniforms that they might incur when setting up the scheme.
We should not allow young people to be forgotten victims of the coronavirus pandemic and this scheme should provide a lifeline for them and a great way of growing a business for employers.
I’m delighted that the Conservative Government are putting young people are the heart of its plans to build back better after the pandemic, and hope as many as possible in South West Herts are able to take part.
The 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.
Businesses can apply here: www.gov.uk/g…/apply-for-a-grant-through-the-kickstart-scheme
