Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons applications to the Government’s Kickstart scheme are restricted to (a) limited companies and (b) registered charities.

The Kickstart Scheme is open to a wide range of public, private and charitable sector employers. To apply for funding via the DWP’s Kickstart Scheme, we require a Companies House registration number or a Charity Commission number. Public Sector organisations and exempt charities can still apply and there is guidance that outlines the process. This requirement enables our due diligence checks to ensure the proper spending of public money.

Businesses without a Companies House registration number may still apply through a Kickstart Gateway.