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Kick-start Scheme
03 September 2020
Lead MP
Jonathan Reynolds
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyBusiness & TradeWomen & Equalities
Other Contributors: 23
At a Glance
Jonathan Reynolds raised concerns about kick-start scheme in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Welcomes the kick-start scheme in principle but calls for assurances that it will be delivered effectively, ensuring jobs are real, quality positions available to smaller businesses and provide long-term employment opportunities. Criticises the delay in launching the scheme and questions its adequacy as a replacement for targeted furlough support.
Therese Coffey
10:36:00
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.
Jonathan Reynolds
Lab Co-op
Stalybridge and Hyde
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.
Neil Grey
SNP
Airdrie and Shotts
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.
Jane Hunt
Con
Eastleigh
Agrees that the kick-start scheme will be helpful for both young people and businesses, supporting their future employment prospects.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
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.
Andrea Jenkyns
Con
Morley and Outwood
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.
Therese Coffey
Con
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
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.
Jo Gideon
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent Central
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.
North East Fife
Highlights difficulties small businesses face in applying directly to the kick-start scheme and requests easier application processes for them.
Sarah Dines
Con
Derbyshire Dales
Thanks the Secretary of State for the announcement and asks about additional support available for young people beyond the kick-start scheme.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
Questions whether the kick-start scheme is adequate to address the looming jobs crisis, suggesting an extension of the job retention scheme instead.
Therese Coffey
Con
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Responds to Stephen Flynn by stating that millions of jobs have been protected through the furlough scheme and mentions Scotland's high unemployment rate.
Arfon
Asks how kick-start can contribute specifically to a green recovery from the pandemic.
Therese Coffey
Con
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
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.
James Davies
Con
Montgomeryshire
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.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
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.
Dan Jarvis
Lab
Barnsley North
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.
Felicity Buchan
Con
North West Norfolk
References past future jobs fund and asks about improvements made in the kick-start scheme.
Therese Coffey
Con
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Responds by mentioning that kick-start is a bigger programme with wider involvement, simplified criteria and new additional roles.
Owen Thompson
SNP
Midlothian
Highlights the fast-growing nature of Midlothian’s economy and questions why small businesses are not able to access funding directly for kick-start.
Selaine Saxby
Con
North Devon
Asks about how smaller tourism businesses in rural areas like north Devon can participate in the scheme when lacking intermediaries.
Government Response
Announces the launch of the £2 billion kick-start scheme, emphasising its support for small businesses and intermediaries. Clarifies criteria based on learnings from past schemes, addresses concerns about bureaucracy and minimum thresholds. Responded to various questions from Members of Parliament, emphasising the kick-start scheme's role in creating new employment opportunities for young people and addressing concerns about accessibility for small businesses.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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