Kickstart Scheme 2021-01-25
2021-01-25
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP notes that as lockdown restrictions ease, there is a need to increase the engagement of young people in the kickstart programme.
What steps she plans to take to increase the participation of young people in the kickstart scheme as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased. Kickstart has created 120,000 opportunities but there is a need to ensure more young people benefit from these jobs.
Kickstart has got off to a flying start with 120,000 kickstart jobs approved and 2,000 young people already started. Around 10,000 jobs are available now and we expect further 33,000 placements soon as we work with employers to finalise job offers.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP acknowledges the success of the kickstart scheme but seeks measures to ensure core jobcentre offerings are available to all age groups as recovery progresses.
Kickstart is a fantastic programme that has created 120,000 opportunities for young people in Heywood and Middleton and around the country. However, the core jobcentre offering will be crucial as we move towards recovery. What measures are being taken to ensure these services are available to people of all ages?
While kickstart is the flagship plan, we have recruited extra 13,500 work coaches throughout the pandemic. We prioritise helping people get back into work through sector-based work academy programmes, boosting job entry targeted support, and launching job funding support nationally.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticises the DWP's reported delay in implementing the kickstart programme, noting that fewer than 2,000 young people have started placements despite its announcement six months ago and half a million young people being out of work.
Today, the DWP announced more than 120,000 kickstart jobs created but only 2,000 placements are available now. The Secretary of State mentioned delays resulting in fewer placements coming on stream. With the scheme announced six months ago and over half a million young people out of work, why is it that fewer than 2,000 have started? Is not the Secretary of State who needs to move up a gear so we can secure our economy and get our young people into jobs?
We have had a record number of applications, creating more job placements than ever achieved by the future jobs fund. We are working to roll out these jobs around the country with high-quality training and wraparound support as we aim to secure placements through year-end.
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Assessment & feedback
specific measures to expedite kickstart placement starts
Rolling Out Jobs Around The Country
Response accuracy