Government launches £1 billion Youth Contract

Britain's unemployed young people have been given a major boost thanks to the launch of the Government's Youth Contract

Nearly half a million young people are set to benefit as £1 billion becomes available to help get them into new jobs or training.

Under the new plans:

• Businesses can now take on under 25s, with 160,000 wage incentives worth up to £2,275.This process has been made simple for businesses and the amount is more than enough to cover an employer's National Insurance contributions for employing a young person for a year.
• An extra 250,000 work experience places will be provided over the next three years. Every 18 to 24 year-old Jobseekers Allowance claimant who wants one will now be able to take up a placement before receiving more intensive support offered through the Work Programme.
• An extra 20,000 incentive payments will become available to encourage smaller businesses to recruit their first apprentices and, from the summer, extra support for the most disengaged 16 and 17-year-olds in England.
• Extra resource will also allow advisers based in each of the 741 Jobcentre Plus offices to spend more time working with young people and provide a National Careers Service interview

Commenting, Employment Minister Chris Grayling, said:

"Youth unemployment is one of the biggest challenges this country faces and we're determined to make a difference to a problem that's been building up for much of the past decade.

"What we're offering through the Youth Contract is real practical support to both employers and job seekers which we hope will give young people a head start in the labour market."

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