Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support her Department provides to young people who are eligible but not ready for a Kickstart placement.

This Government is committed to providing support to help young people move into work, as we recover from the Covid pandemic. Our Plan for Jobs continues to address youth unemployment and has been designed to deliver targeted support to those most in need and continues to adapt to a changing labour market.

The Department for Work and Pensions’ Kickstart Scheme is available for young people aged 16-24, on Universal Credit and at risk of long term unemployment. Work Coaches refer eligible young people to Kickstart jobs and support them through the application process.

The DWP Youth Offer is for all 18 to 24 year olds making a claim for Universal Credit and who are in the Intensive Work Search (IWS) group. As part of this, the 13-week Youth Employment Programme, which focuses on referring young people to the most appropriate support. This could include Kickstart placements, but also Sector-based Work Academy Programmes, traineeships, work experience, Mentoring Circles or apprenticeships.

Youth Hubs are co-located and co-delivered with our network of external partners, for those young people who need support with any skills gaps to bring them closer to labour market opportunities. DWP Youth Employability Coaches across the country are flexibly supporting young people with significant complex needs and barriers to help them move into employment.