The Kickstart Scheme

Announced by the Chancellor as part of his Summer Statement back in July, the Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

Funding covers the following for each job placement:

• 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week
• the associated employer National Insurance contributions
• the employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

Funding is currently only available to employers who apply for the scheme directly for a minimum of 30 employees, a feature that has proved somewhat restrictive for smaller businesses who are considering use of the scheme but not in need of 30 new employees.

In overcoming this, ‘Kickstart Gateways’ have been created to allow the application by an organisation acting as a representative of a group of smaller employers that combine to achieve the minimum consortium of 30 employees.

The Gateway organisation then submits online applications to the scheme on behalf of the employers in the group, collects the total amount due for the group from the DWP and passes the respective amounts onto each employer.

If the scheme is of interest to you or someone you know we have links with a trusted Gateway organisation with whom we would pleased to put you in touch – please do let us know if so and we will be happy to arrange an introduction. 

If you have any questions regarding this or anything else please get in touch, and for regular updates, announcements and news please check our website (www.dsaprospect.co.uk) and make sure you’re following our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dsa-prospect-ltd