To ask the Minister for Communities, in relation to the anticipated JobStart scheme, (i) whether she has (a) consulted business and young people to find out what works and what they want from the scheme; (b) outlined the benefits to employers; (c) ensured young people get paid at least minimum wage; and (d) clarified who pays the young people; and (ii) whether funding to the employer covers the salary.

My officials have engaged with the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Princes Trust, Include Youth and representatives from Youth Forum to explain how it is envisaged the JobStart scheme will operate, relay the benefits for young people of taking part and to gather feedback.

They have also engaged widely with employers and employer representative bodies including the Federation of Small Businesses, Construction Industry Training Board, Chamber of Commerce and Business in the Community. Webinar based engagement has also been made with approximately 170 employers. Officials have also engaged with Councils, Sector Skills Councils and Health and Social Care Trusts.

Through all of this engagement officials have explained how the Scheme has been designed, the benefits for employers and young people of getting involved and have also taken on board suggestions for improvements and made some changes to the scheme following these discussions

The JobStart scheme will provide funding to employers which covers:

100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months (or 9 months for a young person who meets additional criteria)

associated employer National Insurance contributions

employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions (pension)

This funding is paid monthly in arrears by my Department to the employer. The payments will commence when my Department has evidence that the young person is enrolled on the employer’s payroll and is being paid through Pay As You Earn (PAYE). Young people are employees of the company while on the Scheme and will be entitled to the same terms and conditions as every other employee during their period of employment. It is the sole responsibility of the employer to pay the employee during their time on the Scheme.

Employers can consider employing the young person for more than 25 hours per week or at a higher salary but the funding will only cover the first 25 hours at National Minimum Wage level.

The JobStart scheme is and will continue to be an agile Scheme and the Department is committed to continuously improving it by listening to

feedback from both employers and young people as the Scheme progresses.