Harborough MP urges businesses to get behind a new £2 billion Government scheme to support young people

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien is exhorting businesses to get behind a new £2 billion Government scheme to support young people.

The MP is calling on dozens of employers throughout the district to sign up to the landmark Kickstart employment blueprint.

Neil spoke as the initiative is designed to create thousands of jobs for young people across UK as the country battles to bounce back from the Covid-19 crisis.

People aged 16-24 claiming Universal Credit will be offered six-month work placements – with their wages and training costs paid by the Government.

Neil said: “The Government’s £2 billion Kickstart scheme is launching and I’m calling on local employers right across Harborough to sign up to provide Kickstart jobs.

“We cannot allow young people to be left behind as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Schemes like this will be vital for creating jobs and giving young people the skills to access them.”

The Conservative MP added: “I’m delighted the Government is putting young people at the heart of its plans to build back stronger after the pandemic.

“I hope that as many young people as possible in Harborough are able to take part.”

The £2 billion scheme is going ahead in a bid to ensure young people have a “future of opportunity and hope” by creating Government-subsidised jobs.

Ministers hope the ambitious project will help to reignite the country’s economic recovery as efforts to beat the coronavirus pandemic continue.

The Government will pay all of the young person’s age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week, which the employer can top up if they want to.

The Government will also pay the employer £1,500 for each young person they take on - to support any training or associated costs like uniforms that they might incur when setting up the scheme.

The scheme will initially be open until December 2021 but may be extended.

Young people will be referred into the new roles through their Jobcentre Plus work coach with the first Kickstarts expected to begin at the start of November.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “This isn’t just about kickstarting our country’s economy.

“It’s an opportunity to kickstart the careers of thousands of young people who could otherwise be left behind as a result of the pandemic.”

He added: “The scheme will open the door to a brighter future for a new generation and ensure the UK bounces back stronger.”