The Government Kickstart Scheme

25 September 2020
The new Kickstart scheme provides funding to employers to create 6-month job placements for young people.

As part of the Chancellors Plan for Jobs, the Government has now launched their £2 billion Kickstart scheme. It aims to help young people aged 16-24 years, who are claiming Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance and are at risk from long term unemployment, into work.

Who can apply?

If you’re thinking about taking on any young people through this scheme, you can apply for funding which will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours per week. It’ll also cover your National Insurance contributions and minimum employer automatic enrolment pension contributions, currently 3%.

How long is it available for?

Anyone you take on will need to be employed before December 2021 and they’ll need to remain with you for a minimum of 6 months.  You’ll also need to make sure that they’re not replacing any existing or planned vacancies.

Your automatic enrolment duties

This increased responsibility, also means fulfilling your automatic enrolment duties for anyone you take on aged 22 years and over, plus any workers under that age who opt into your pension scheme.

You’ll already be familiar with our online dashboard and it can help you check their eligibility and create the relevant documents and statutory communications.

Find out more about  the Kickstart scheme.

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