Teignbridge Council is offering to help businesses take advantage of the Government’s new Kickstart Scheme which encourages businesses to create new six-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit.

Data for June 2020 shows more than a 1,000 16-24 year-olds in Teignbridge on Universal Credit – almost a tripling of the number compared to 12 months ago.

The new Kickstart Scheme will provide 100% funding of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.

But the national rules state that to apply directly, businesses must be creating more than 30 job placements. If not they have to partner with other organisations so they achieve this total.

The council is offering to act as an intermediary to support businesses who could take advantage of the scheme and help young people avoid the risk of long- term unemployment but who cannot create 30 plus placements.

A Teignbridge Council spokesperson said: ‘If the team receives sufficient business interest it will help to bring together a joint application under the Kickstart scheme to the government.

‘If you know any businesses which may want to take part in this scheme, please ask them to email the economic development team ([email protected]) to register their interest and confirm how many placements they would like to create.’

Teignbridge Executive member who leads on Business Cllr Nina Jeffries said: ‘As a council we are committed to doing everything we can to help business and to create local employment opportunities.

‘Businesses who can offer placements but not in sufficient number to meet the criteria should get in touch and we will coordinate interest and if we get sufficient numbers will submit a collective bid.’