Take advantage of the Kickstart Scheme

The Government has created the Kickstart Scheme to protect and support young adults in the challenging post-lockdown job market.

Announced in the Summer Economic Update by the Chancellor and detailed in his ‘Plan for Jobs’, it supports businesses that employ young adults who are on Universal Credit, by covering the entire cost of their salaries (at the national minimum wage) for 25 hours of work per week over a six-month-long work placement.

The Government will pay employers directly and the scheme will also cover National Insurance and Pension Contributions.

Employees that are hired and participate in the scheme will have their salaries covered up to:

• £455 per month if they are under 18 years of age
• £645 per month if 18 to 20
• £820 per month if 21 to 24.

The hope is that the scheme will help to alleviate the costs of employing and training young adults, who are likely to be worst affected by a downturn in the job market. The scheme will be administered with the help of Jobcentre Plus, who will help to allocate successful applicants for appropriate placements.

The Government hopes that businesses will continue to employ these young adults following the designated six-months. If they are unable to employ them permanently then the experience gained during the placement should help young adults to find additional work.

The Government is encouraging all businesses, to get involved. Applications for the scheme are expected to open this month, with more information to follow in due course.

Companies who take part in the scheme will have to prove that the jobs they are making available to applicants are new, are not replacing any already existing jobs and are “above and beyond any jobs they were expecting to create”.

The Government has also announced that from August 2020 to January 2021, any company that hires a new young apprentice between the ages of 16 to 24 will receive a £2,000 bonus, while those that hire new apprentices aged 25 and over will be paid £1,500. Further details of this scheme are also expected soon.

To find out how we can assist you with the various Government COVID-19 support measures, please contact us.