A SCHEME to help people into work has led to 80 out-of-work young people in Copeland finding jobs.

The government’s Kickstart Scheme has got 80 young people across the area into work since its launch in September 2020.

As part of the Plan for Jobs, the £2 billion Kickstart Scheme pays businesses to create high-quality jobs for 16 to 24 year-olds on Universal Credit.

The scheme gives young people the opportunity to find work, develop their skills, helping 80 young adults across the borough of Copeland.

Figures released yesterday reveal that the number of people in employment rose by 160,000 in October.

100,000 young people across the country have now started a Kickstart job across all types of employers, ranging from sole traders to some of the biggest companies in the country.

Over the last month, on average over 3,400 young people have started a Kickstart job each week, and the scheme was recently expanded and extended until March 2022 so that even more young people can benefit.

The Kickstart Scheme is just one part of the Conservative Government’s Plan for Jobs, which also includes the £2.9 billion Restart Scheme, helping over 1 million long-term unemployed people find work.

MP for Copeland Trudy Harrison said: “The pandemic has been tough for young people, especially those looking for a job. We want to ensure that no young person is left behind as we continue our recovery.

“The Conservative Government’s Kickstart Scheme is helping us deliver on that mission - getting 80 young people into work across Copeland – as part of the 100,000 helped nationwide.

“This will give more young people the best possible start in the workplace - helping them get a high wage, high skilled job they will need for the future.”

Work and Pensions Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, said: “Kickstart employers in Copeland and up and down the country are giving young people the chance to get on the jobs ladder.

“Having hit the 100,000 milestone, we are now on the last lap and I encourage employers and young people to take advantage of this opportunity as we head towards the finish line of the great Kickstart Scheme.”