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MP urges local businesses to sign up to Government’s landmark ‘Kickstart’ Scheme

03/02/2021

MP urges local businesses to sign up to Government’s landmark ‘Kickstart’ Scheme

The MP for Beverley and Holderness, Graham Stuart, has put out a call to businesses in Beverley and Holderness to make use of the ‘landmark’ Kickstart Scheme, after the Government announced it was making it easier for employers of all sizes to sign up.

The Kickstart Scheme is a programme designed to give young people at risk of long-term unemployment a route into work by creating subsidised, high-quality jobs. Under the scheme, businesses can offer people receiving Universal Credit and aged 16-24, a 6-month work placement which is fully funded by the Government.

The Government will pay 100% of the placement’s minimum wage, pension and National Insurance contributions for 25 hours a week, which the employer can top up if they choose to. The Government also covers any associated set-up costs with a grant of £1,500 per work placement.

It is backed by £2 billion and has already created more than 120,000 jobs across the UK since its launch in September. Previously, businesses opening up fewer than 30 vacancies through the scheme had to apply through one of over 600 ‘gateway organisations’ like charities and trade bodies, but from yesterday (1st February) this threshold has been removed so employers of all sizes can apply directly.

http://www.apply-kickstart-grant-employer.service.gov.uk/