Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Kickstart Scheme Closure

Monday 6 June 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Caroline Ansell inquired about steps to support young people into work following the closure of the Kickstart scheme.
  • Laura Trott questioned if the Way to Work scheme would focus on helping younger people, particularly in sectors struggling to recruit like social care.
  • Jane Stevenson requested reassurance that young people in Wolverhampton would have equal opportunity to showcase their talents and ambitions in the future.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Ansell Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The closure of the Kickstart scheme has prompted concerns about how young people will be supported into work.

Question

What steps she plans to take to support young people into work following the closure of the Kickstart scheme, which was supposed to generate 600,000 placements but only generated around 235,000?

Answer from Mims Davies

Following the success of Kickstart, which has seen over 162,600 young people start their new roles, the DWP youth offer will continue to support our young people. The DWP's extended Jobcentre Plus network and youth hubs have helped move young people into local opportunities more quickly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about measures after Kickstart closure was not directly addressed; only continued support through existing schemes mentioned without details on new initiatives or timelines.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Laura Trott Con Sevenoaks
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Way to Work scheme is replacing the Kickstart programme in Sevenoaks and Swanley, with local employers like Go-Coach and Mount Vineyard using it.

Question

Will my hon. Friend ensure that the Way to Work scheme focuses particularly on helping younger people, similar to how Kickstart was used by many local employees, especially for sectors struggling to recruit such as social care?

Answer from Mims Davies

The scheme has transformed how we recruit everybody, including our young people. Our DWP employment advisers are working closely with employers to meet local demand for HGV drivers and care workers, and Way to Work offers a unique opportunity to ramp up recruitment in new sectors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics on focusing particularly on young people or social care sector; general statement about scheme's benefits given.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Jane Stevenson
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent named Tianna, who is an apprentice at Collins Aerospace in Wolverhampton, participated in the Kickstart scheme to showcase her skills.

Question

Can the Minister reassure me that other young people in Wolverhampton will have equal opportunity to showcase their talents and ambitions in the future?

Answer from Mims Davies

I can reassure my hon. Friend that jobcentres host employers' zones and youth hubs directly supporting young people furthest from the labour market with training and employment opportunities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific reassurance for Wolverhampton; only general statement about youth support programmes given.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Caroline Ansell Con
Education Employment
Context

The Kickstart scheme has been successful in generating employment for young people, notably in sectors like NHS where there are hundreds of new entrants.

Question

What work is coming down the line to connect young people with some of those opportunities, including in digital and creative sector?

Answer from Mims Davies

The Way to Work initiative is building key links with local employers offering good-quality opportunities for young people. Work coaches continue to support jobseekers of all ages in accessing vacancies and opportunities in demand sectors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details about future initiatives or new connections to employment; general statement given.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Steve McCabe Lab
Employment
Context

The Kickstart scheme was expected to generate 600,000 placements but only achieved around 235,000, with some unfilled positions at closure.

Question

Does the Minister really think we should describe that as a success? Would not most people be asking what went wrong?

Answer from Mims Davies

I will happily write to the hon. Gentleman with correct numbers. Over 162,600 young people started new roles through Kickstart; employers found that recruiting young people transformed their business and recruitment practices.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address performance assessment or targets missed; provided a positive spin on outcomes instead.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)