What is the Kickstart Scheme and how could it benefit my child?

Covid-19 has almost tripled the number of people claiming Universal Credit, and many of them are young people. The government has launched a new temporary employment programme called the Kickstart Scheme. It will provide a guaranteed 6-month job, paid at minimum wage, for those aged 16-24, claiming Universal Credit and deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment.

It is vital that parents know about this important scheme, which launches next month.

What is the Kickstart Scheme?

Many of the 3.2 million people who claimed Universal Credit between March and June were young people left out-of-work by Covid-19.

In last week's Summer Statement, the Chancellor announced a new programme called the Kickstart Scheme, which will provide a 6-month job to those young people at the highest risk of long-term unemployment. The government will place Kickstart candidates with an employer and pay them at minimum wage for 6 months.

To be eligible for the scheme, a Universal Credit claimant aged 16-24 must be identified as being at risk of long-term unemployment by their work coach at the JobcentrePlus. It will be open to employers from August 2020.

Read the full article on our website, where we answer these questions and other FAQs:

• How much will my child be paid?
• How does my child get onto the scheme?
• Who will my child work for?

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Success at School Team

Images: Kickstart Scheme logo via UK Chancellor's Twitter account