Oral Answers to Questions

Pauline Latham Excerpts

Monday 30th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)]

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

[Mrs Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

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

[Catherine West (Hornsey and Wood Green) (Lab)]

What steps her Department is taking to encourage employers to participate in the kickstart scheme.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mims Davies]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend: it is vital that we support young people into employment. As we know, they are often the most affected in these times of economic uncertainty. My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that in addition to kickstart, the DWP Kensington youth team is actively working with local partners, such as the Rugby Portobello Trust, to help young people in her constituency back into work.

[Mrs Latham [V]]

Young people are particularly at risk of being left behind as a result of this pandemic. Will my hon. Friend assure me that as we get our economy moving again, she will ensure that younger people have the chance to develop the skills that they need for future employment?

[Mims Davies]

The Secretary of State and I are determined that the kickstart scheme will provide for young people a vital springboard to gain vital skills and experience in fully subsidised six-month roles, which will help to build their networks and their future opportunities before they move into long-term employment, apprenticeships, traineeships or further training. I was delighted to be in Derbyshire earlier this year to see exactly how the scheme will work on the ground.