Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a new ‘Kickstart Scheme’ which aims to create more jobs for young people.
The Chancellor unveiled the scheme today (July 8) at Parliament.
The Kickstart Scheme is a £2 billion fund which will pay employers to “create new jobs for any 16-24 year-old at risk of long-term unemployment.” If employers meet the conditions for the fund, the government will pay young people’s wages for 6 months “plus an amount to cover overheads”.
The fund is in response to the coronavirus pandemic which has affected young people, with Chancellor Sunak saying “under 25s are 2.5 times as likely to work in a sector that has been closed.”
He added: “We cannot lose this generation.”
Rishi Sunak also announced the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme where every British citizen will receive a discount at participating restaurants. Customers will be allowed to receive money off of up to £10 per person when they eat at selected restaurants from Monday to Wednesday in August.
The Chancellor said: “Meals eaten at any participating business will be 50% off up to a maximum discount of £10 per head for everyone, including children. We can all eat out to help out.”
Chancellor Sunak announced VAT cuts in some sectors to get them “bustling again”.
“At the moment, VAT on hospitality and tourism is charged at 20%. So I’ve decided, for the next six months, to cut VAT on food, accommodation and attractions,” he adds.
“Eat-in or hot takeaway food from restaurants, cafes and pubs, accommodation in hotels, B&Bs, campsites and caravan sites, attractions like cinemas, theme parks and zoos.
“All these and more will see VAT reduced, from next Wednesday until January 12th, from 20% to 5%.”
The announcements from Rishi Sunak are apart of the government’s £30 billion plan to protect jobs following the coronavirus pandemic.
More to follow…