Kick-start Scheme

Announces the launch of the £2 billion kick-start programme to create additional jobs for young people at risk of long-term unemployment, emphasising employer support and wraparound services. Highlights learnings from past schemes to improve current criteria.

Questions how the government will ensure jobs are new and additional, reach those most in need, accommodate small businesses, provide full-time hours, and considers its effectiveness compared to continued furlough support.

Asks for confirmation that employers in Warrington South can sign up with no cost other than the creation of new jobs.

Welcomes any intervention but questions UK Government's response to Scottish Government's requests, minimum 30-employee threshold for participation, and payment based on real living wage.

Encourages businesses in Blackpool South to sign up to the kick-start scheme to support young people in securing work.

Agrees that the kick-start scheme will be helpful for both young people and businesses, supporting their future employment prospects.

Asks about safeguards in place to ensure disabled young people can benefit from the kick-start programme given their lower employment rate compared to non-disabled peers.

Welcomes the opportunity for young people to gain work experience through kick-start but asks how the scheme will help them into sustained employment beyond the six-month placement.

Emphasises that getting a job is easier with work experience, highlighting kick-start's role in creating thousands of additional jobs to help young people into long-term employment. Also mentions the importance of avoiding long-term scarring due to unemployment.

Welcomes kick-start as an opportunity for young people in Stoke-on-Trent Central affected by the pandemic and asks about accessibility of information on the scheme for employers and young people.

Highlights difficulties small businesses face in applying directly to the kick-start scheme and requests easier application processes for them.

Thanks the Secretary of State for the announcement and asks about additional support available for young people beyond the kick-start scheme.

Questions whether the kick-start scheme is adequate to address the looming jobs crisis, suggesting an extension of the job retention scheme instead.

Responds to Stephen Flynn by stating that millions of jobs have been protected through the furlough scheme and mentions Scotland's high unemployment rate.

Asks how kick-start can contribute specifically to a green recovery from the pandemic.

Responds that part of building back better is about building back greener, mentioning sectors where they are encouraging involvement in kick-start as well as apprenticeships.

Welcomes the launch of the kick-start scheme and asks for reassurance that small business owners such as Hal Holmes-Pierce will be able to participate.

Highlights higher unemployment rates among young disabled people before the pandemic and questions what specific measures are being taken to ensure kick-start targets those most in need.

Asks how the kick-start scheme fits with the Government’s levelling-up agenda, requesting guarantees for additional support needed by communities like South Yorkshire.

References past future jobs fund and asks about improvements made in the kick-start scheme.

Responds by mentioning that kick-start is a bigger programme with wider involvement, simplified criteria and new additional roles.

Highlights the fast-growing nature of Midlothian’s economy and questions why small businesses are not able to access funding directly for kick-start.

Asks about how smaller tourism businesses in rural areas like north Devon can participate in the scheme when lacking intermediaries.