Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

What steps her Department is taking to encourage businesses to participate in the Kickstart scheme.

I regularly meet with officials to focus on delivery and we have an agile process to deliver the Kickstart scheme. We will continue to review and evaluate the scheme as it rolls out - it is a key priority for me as Employment Minister.

Our employer and partnership teams in Eastbourne and across the country are working with employers to promote and deliver local Kickstart opportunities and ensure they are able to link up with the right Gateway Organisations.