“The scheme will open the door to a brighter future for a new generation and ensure the UK bounces back stronger as a country.”
As of July, there were almost 538,000 young people aged 24 and under on Universal Credit, a rise of around 250,000 from March.
Therese Coffey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “As we launch our £2 billion Kickstart programme, putting young people at the heart of our revival – we are urging businesses to get involved in this innovative scheme and take advantage of the enormous pool of potential out there.
“Young people taking part will receive on-the-job training, skills development and mentoring, as we get them on that first rung of the jobs ladder and on their way to successful careers.”
How long will the scheme last for?
The scheme, which will be delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions, will initially be open until December 2021.
Which employers have signed up to take part?
Major employers including Tesco have signed up to offer jobs through the scheme, according to the Treasury.
What has other reaction to the scheme been?
Labour responded to the Kickstart launch by saying the programme appears to lack coordination across various sectors.
“Labour has repeatedly called for a youth employment scheme that matches the scale of today’s jobs crisis, just as the Future Jobs Fund did at the time of the global financial crash,” shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds said in a statement.
“The Labour Government in Wales has done just that with its Jobs Growth Wales scheme: bringing local authorities, employers, trade unions and other stakeholders together to help young people into work without impacting older workers.
“But the Conservative government’s Kickstart scheme, which has been delayed, already looks like it lacks that cross-organisational coordination. It will only work if employers and jobseekers have clarity and confidence that the scheme will lead to meaningful work. The Government can’t afford to get this wrong.”
