- Since it launched in September, more than 120,000 Government-funded Kickstart jobs have been created for 16-24-year olds on Universal Credit.
- As the Government makes it even easier for businesses of all sizes to join, so employers can directly apply for any number of placements, Antony is urging companies across Burnley and Padiham to sign up
Antony Higginbotham MP 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.
Designed to give young people at risk of long-term unemployment a future of hope and opportunity, the Government’s Kickstart Scheme is helping to create high-quality, government-subsidised jobs across the UK.
Introduced as part of the Plan for Jobs, the Kickstart Scheme allows local 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.
Commenting, Antony Higginbotham MP said:
As we look to our economic recovery, it’s going to be more important than ever to make sure that no young person is left behind as a result of this pandemic.
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 Burnley and Padiham to sign up.
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 this month, 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.
Commenting, 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.
Commenting, 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.
