“Young people have been hit hardest by the effects of Covid on the jobs market – and with the crisis almost a year old, bold action is necessary to help them, and other workers who are at risk of long-term unemployment. The good news is that the Kickstart programme, and other initiatives like Restart, have been met with enthusiasm by employers.
“The challenge Government faces is matching employer enthusiasm with the people who need a chance. Recruiters are uniquely positioned to do this, and the REC has been proud to do its part as a Gateway provider up to now. We will continue to offer this service to firms who do not wish to deal directly with DWP. It will be vital to ensure that removing the 30 placement cap does not cause further delays to support – so capacity will be needed to make the system work. REC members across the country are ready to help JobCentres make this work.”
