The MP for Copeland is calling on employers to sign up to the landmark Kickstart Scheme as Government broadens the guidelines to make it easier for smaller businesses to get involved.
Trudy Harrison MP has welcomed the decision remove to the 30 vacancies minimum threshold, making it easier for employers of all sizes to join the flagship £2 billion programme, which has already created more than 120,000 Kickstart jobs across the UK.
From this month, the 30 vacancies minimum threshold will be removed and businesses can apply to the scheme for any number of placements, putting smaller businesses on the same footing as large employers.
Under the 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.
Trudy said: “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.
“The Government’s decision to boarded the scheme and remove the 30 vacancies minimum threshold is welcome news, and enables employers to apply directly for any number of placements, opening the programme to hundreds of smaller businesses across Copeland.
“From the start of the pandemic, our young people have been among those struggling the most and I am calling on companies across Copeland to sign up to the scheme to help bolster their bright futures.”
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.
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”.
