Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (): There are now over a million young people not in
education, employment or training. This Government is acting and
determined to not leave an entire generation of young people
behind. The Youth Guarantee is our commitment to ensure that
every young person across Great Britain can access support to
earn or learn. We are investing an additional £2.5 billion over
the next three years in the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills
Levy, supporting almost one million young people and creating up
to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
Today, I am pleased to announce the launch of the Youth Jobs
Grant, a key component of the Youth Guarantee. The grant opens
for applications today, offering £3,000 to employers across Great
Britain for each eligible young person they recruit. It is
targeted at 18 to 24-year-olds who have been unemployed and in
receipt of Universal Credit for six months or more, giving
talented and motivated young people a chance at meaningful work.
Grants will be paid in two instalments - £1,800 in month two and
£1,200 in month five - to encourage recruitment and sustained
employment. Roles must be at least 25 hours per week and are
expected to last a minimum of four months. The scheme is open to
employers in all sectors and regions.
Employers will be able to apply through a simple application
process from today found on Youth Jobs Grant - GOV-UK Find a
grant(opens in a new tab) with further details on eligibility
and requirements available on business.gov.uk/recruit(opens in
a new tab).
By supporting employers with the upfront costs of recruitment and
training, the Youth Jobs Grant will help more young people to
secure a meaningful job, build confidence, and gain valuable
workplace experience. The Youth Jobs Grant is a vital step in
delivering our commitment to support young people into work while
helping employers to access the talent they need to grow.
Statement from
Department for Work and Pensions
(opens in a new tab)