Young people aged 16-24 are currently at risk of facing long-term unemployment  – particularly those on Universal Credit. The Government’s Kickstart scheme will subsidise six-month work placements.

For each job under the kickstart scheme, the government will cover the cost of 25 hours’ work a week at National Minimum Wage level, with employers able to pay more on top, at their discretion.

Applications for kickstart jobs will begin in August, with jobs starting in the autumn and generally running to December 2021, although there will be an extension option.

England, Scotland and Wales will be covered by the kickstart scheme, with separate funding going to Northern Ireland for a similar initiative.