News

Government launches £2 billion ‘Kickstart Scheme’ to create new jobs for young people

It will provide a range of fully subsidised six-month placements to those aged 16-24 who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 2nd September 2020
Pixabay

The government has today announced the launch of a new £2 billion pound Kickstart Scheme aimed at creating “hundreds of thousands of new jobs for young people” across the UK.

The Kickstart Scheme is part of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak’s #PlanForJobs.

Under the new scheme, a number of fully subsidised six-month placements will be open to those aged 16-24 who are currently claiming Universal Credit and are thus at risk of long-term unemployment.

These placements will be available across a range of different sectors in England, Scotland and Wales, and the first placements are likely to be available from November.

According to a statement released today on the gov.uk website, employers will be able to receive funding for 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25-hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum auto-enrolment pension contributions. There will also be extra funding available to support young people in building up their experience and helping them move into sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart-funded job.

ADVERTISEMENT

Whilst the Kickstart Scheme is not to be misinterpreted as an apprenticeship, participants may move on to an apprenticeship at any time during, or after their job placement.

___

ADVERTISEMENT

How does the Kickstart Scheme work?

Employers in can use the Kickstart Scheme to create new six-month job placements for young people age 16-24, and they should support the participants to develop the skills and experience that they need to find work after completing the scheme.

Funding is available for 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25-hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions, and can be accessed following a successful application process.

There is also £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training.

ADVERTISEMENT

Applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements, and if an employer is unable to offer this many job placements, they then have the opportunity to partner with other organisations to reach the minimum number.

Those applying on behalf of a group of employers can also get an additional £300 of funding to support with the associated administrative costs of bringing together these employers.

___

Who can apply for funding?

According to the gov.uk criteria, any organisation can apply for funding, but the job placements created with Kickstart Scheme funding must be new jobs and They must not replace existing or planned vacancies, or cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment.

The roles that employers apply for Kickstart Scheme funding for must be:

ADVERTISEMENT
  • A minimum of 25 hours per week for six months.
  • Paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group.
  • Should not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job placement.

Each application should include how employers will help the participants to develop their skills and experience, including support to look for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals, support with CV and interview preparations, and supporting the participant with basic skills, such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork.

Once a job placement is created, it can be taken up by a second person once the first successful applicant has completed their six-month term.

___

How to apply?

Applications for the Kickstart Scheme are being accepted now from employers, or groups of employers.

If your organisation is creating more than 30 job placements as part of the Kickstart Scheme, you can submit your application directly here, but if your organisation is creating fewer than 30 job placements, you cannot apply directly and you must partner with other organisations in order to create a minimum of 30 job placements before applying.

ADVERTISEMENT

You can find out more about becoming or finding a representative for a group of employers here.

More information about the Kickstart Scheme is available via the gov.uk website here.

News

UK Government announces £100 fines for ‘antisocial behaviour’ on public transport

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The Government has today announced plans to tackle antisocial behaviour on public transport.

In a bid to crackdown on loud music, littering, vaping, and other threatening behaviour on buses and trains, guidance was issued by the Government today for local authorities to prosecute and even issue fines of up to £100.

For many, playing audio out loud on public transport – also known as ‘loudcasting’ – has become one of modern life’s most irritating parts of the daily commute, but now, a new national campaign is aiming to encourage rail passengers, in particular, to ‘share the carriage, not the noise’ to improve the journey experience for all.

This will include reminders of the rules in place on the rail network and, if a passenger refuses to stop when asked by authorised rail staff, they can be removed from the train at the next station or face fines up to £1,000.

On buses, however, the powers for authorities were already made possible by the Bus Services Act 2025, meaning all local transport authorities in England are able to set and enforce their own rules.

Authorised officers – including transport safety officers and the police – will be responsible for enforcement, rather than bus drivers themselves, and they will be tasked with a three-step approach to deal with incidents. They will need to:

  • Engage with the person
  • Explain the rules and their impact on other passengers
  • Take enforcement action if they refuse to comply

“We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone,” commented Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

“It gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey, so we’re launching a nationwide campaign reminding passengers to use headphones on trains. On top of that, we’re giving local leaders new powers to tackle loud music, vaping and littering on buses.

“It’s a simple thing, but one that will make journeys that little bit better for all of us.”

Read more:

Ben Plowden, Chief Executive at the Campaign for Better Transport, added: “Antisocial behaviour is not just irritating, it can be a real deterrent to people using public transport – especially people with different accessibility requirements.

“If these new powers are properly and visibly enforced, they should help everyone feel safe and comfortable on public transport and enjoy the ride.”

Featured Image – Northern

News

Police provide update after stabbing of 14-year-old boy at Manchester Arndale carpark

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Police have provided an update following the stabbing of a young boy in Manchester city centre over the weekend.

At around 3:15pm this past Saturday afternoon (17 October 2026), officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a stabbing on the ninth floor of the Arndale carpark in Manchester city centre.

Emergency services attended the scene, and a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with a stab wound.

Thankfully, the victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing, but an investigation and enquiries are ongoing.

Detective Inspector Sam Jones, of GMP’s City of Manchester District CID, said this will ‘understandably’ cause concern, but has assured the public that police believe this to be an ‘isolated incident.

“Detectives at the scene are working extremely hard to process the scene with Crime Scene Investigators,” explained DI Jones in an update statement issued.

“The car park is expected to be closed for several hours, so we ask for your understanding and patience whilst we gather evidence to bring these offenders to justice.

“Detectives and Officers will be in the area today to speak with local businesses and members of the public to provide reassurance. This is believed to be an isolated incident with no risk to the wider public.

“Greater Manchester Police are committed to diligently investigating all knife crime and bringing offenders to justice, and we are asking for anyone with information about this incident to come forward to assist with our enquiries.”

Read more:

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 2050 of 17/10/2026, or via the LiveChat function. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

More News

Boroughs

TfGM issues statement as ‘essential’ work begins on three major Metrolink lines across Greater Manchester

Crime

Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing

Abusali Rahman mugshot

Crime

Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches