Government launches £2 billion kickstart scheme to get young people back to work

A £2 billion scheme to help young people into work has been launched by the UK Government today (2nd September).

Businesses are now able to sign up to be part of the Kickstart scheme, giving unemployed young people a future of opportunity by creating high-quality, government-subsidised jobs across the UK.

Under the scheme, announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of his Plan for Jobs, employers can offer young people aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit a six-month work placement.

The new KickStart jobs initiative will see the Government pay 100% of each person's National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week from November.

Employers will be able to top up the wages, while the Government will also pay £1,500 to set up support and training.

Businesses of all sizes looking to create quality jobs for young people can apply and there is no cap on the number of places. The scheme will be open until the end of December 2021, with the option of extension if it proves successful.