Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Dr Thérèse Coffey MP):
Our Plan for Jobs is working. With the UK economy rebounding
strongly, the number of payrolled employees is
now above pre-pandemic levels and vacancies are
at record-levels. Our unprecedented £407 billion support package
protected jobs and livelihoods through the worst of the pandemic
and the formidable force of our jabs and jobs armies means we are
building back better – helping people move into decent, well-paid
jobs and get the skills they need to succeed.
We are investing a further £500 million to expand the Plan for
Jobs to build on its successes to help people of all ages fulfil
their potential, in particular younger and older jobseekers and
those on low-incomes.
We are extending our Kickstart scheme until the end of March
2022, which has so far helped over 85,000 young people take a
confident first step in their careers. This will allow thousands
more young people to benefit and enable employers a further
opportunity to apply for funding for roles, especially those who
were unable to take on young people while COVID restrictions were
in place. New applications for roles will be accepted until 17
December 2021, though employers will be expected to move quickly
to fill their approved roles.
We are extending our Youth Offer to 2025. This will ensure young
people can continue to benefit from intensive work coach support
through the Youth Employment Programme, specialised Youth
Employability Coaches and over 135 Youth Hubs are already
providing support to thousands of young people across England,
Scotland and Wales. We are also expanding eligibility, with 16
and 17 year olds able to join alongside 18 – 24 year olds
claiming Universal Credit and searching for work.
For older workers, who often face specific challenges remaining
in and returning to work, we will be funding a new support
package. This will ensure they receive more intensive, tailored
support during their work search journey, as well as information
and guidance on later life planning, helping them make informed
choices and supporting them to plan their career and stay in, or
return to work.
And for low-paid workers, from April 2022, we will bolster our
work coach support for people on Universal Credit to help them
boost their earnings through a focus on career progression
advice, with Jobcentre specialists working with local employers
to identify opportunities for people to progress in work.
We are also extending JETS – our Job Entry Targeted Support
Scheme – to September 2022, which has so far supported over
175,000 people across the UK by providing light-touch employment
support for six months within the first year of unemployment. And
our Job Finding Support (JFS) scheme will continue to prioritise
support for those coming off furlough through online, tailored,
one-to-one support for those newly unemployed and claiming
Universal Credit, including recruitment advice from a skilled
adviser, support with CVs, and mock interviews.
This expansion of our Plan for Jobs and Jobcentre network is an
example of our commitment to invest in skills and jobs, helping
people to move into well-paid work, progress, earn more and
increase financial resilience – boosting pay, prospects and
prosperity.
