Six months on from the launch of the Kickstart employment scheme, just 4,000 young people have been matched with a job or training opportunity, prompting some to question whether major reforms are needed to the £2bn government initiative.
Launched in September 2020 to address the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kickstart provides fully-funded jobs for 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment. It pays 100 per cent of the national minimum wage, employer national insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week for a total of six months. It is hoped this will encourage employers to create roles that help young people gain the skills and confidence needed to move into a permanent position when the placement ends.
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