Wednesday, 23rd September 2020
The government have set aside £2bn of funding specifically for this new Kickstart Scheme. This could mean thousands of new jobs for young people.
Are you an employer looking to take on new starters? You could be eligible for this scheme.
Key Points
- 100% funding for six month placements
- Aimed at 16 to 24 year olds
- Vacancy must be for new positions
- Covers 25 hours a week on NMW
- Includes national insurance and part of auto enrolment
- Funds paid direct to employer
Do you think your business could qualify for this new funding and not sure if you would qualify? Contact Onyx now. We have a dedicated payroll department who are ready to walk you through the process. We can check your eligibility along with assisting with your application.
What is the Kickstart Scheme?
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create six month job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
It is aimed at those who are on Universal Credit, potentially school leavers or those who have had job offers withdrawn. This scheme will help individuals who are deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment.
Funding will cover 100 per cent of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week along with associated National Insurance contributions and the employer’s minimum automatic enrolment contributions.
Who can apply for funding?
Any business, regardless of size is eligible to apply for this funding.
The job placements created by the Kickstart funding must be for new jobs. This means that it cannot be used for existing or planned vacancies or cause existing employees to lose their jobs.
What is included?
The funding will cover upto 25 hours a week of paid work upto the national minimum wage applicable for the age of the person offered work. It will also cover the national insurance contributions and the minimum auto enrolment obligations of the employer.
If the successful applicant is offered work in excess of 25 hours a week or if they are being paid above the national minimum wage applicable for their age then the difference will not be covered by the funding and will be a cost borne by the employer.
Once a job placement is created, it can be taken up by a second person once the first successful applicant has completed their 6-month term.
Support from the employer
Each employer who applies for the Kickstart Scheme will need to demonstrate the support and assistance that they will give to each applicant. E.g. help with writing their CV, skills and on the job training, all with the aim to help with support for long-term employment either within their own business or elsewhere.
The government are in effect asking employers to help “kickstart” the careers for those who, perhaps, may not have been given the opportunity or have lost minimum paid work due to the impact of the coronavirus.
How to Apply for the Kickstart Scheme
The number of available vacancies will depend on how you can apply.
If you have 30 or more positions that would be suitable for 16-24 year olds and as an employer you feel would qualify for this funding then we can help start the application process.
At Onyx we can help with the application and will do all we can to help secure this much needed funding.
However, if you have fewer than 30 positions available, then the process involves using a Kickstart Gateway to help apply for the funding for you. At Onyx we can help in the search for the right support hub to process your claim and can assist with collating the information needed.
HMRC have made available additional guidance and support for those offering fewer than 30 vacancies. Click HERE to find out more.
GET IN TOUCH WITH ONYX
Need help with the Kickstart Scheme; Assistance with your payroll or calculating the flexible furlough rates for your part-time staff?
Contact us now or e-mail us at enquiries@onyxaccountants.co.uk for a FREE no obligation consultation.
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