NFDA comments on Government’s ‘plan for jobs’

The Chancellor has announced a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme will be launched to help employers create jobs for young people at risk of long-term unemployment. Funding available for each six-month job placement will cover 100 per cent of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week – and employers will be able to top this wage up.

Additionally, businesses will be given £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire under the age of 25 between August 2020 and January 2021. This is in addition to the existing £1,000 payment the Government already provides for new 16-18-year-old apprentices and those aged under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan.

A Job Retention Bonus will also be introduced to help businesses keep furloughed workers. UK Employers will receive a one-off bonus of £1,000 for each furloughed employee who is still employed as of 31 January 2021.

Sue Robinson, National Franchised Dealers Association director, said, “It is positive that following the support provided to employers through the Job Retention Scheme, the Government has committed to continuing to help employers retain their workforce and create new roles.

“In particular, the automotive industry has invested heavily in attracting young people to the sector and providing them with unique training and development opportunities. We must minimise the impact of the current crisis and ensure it does not undermine the efforts our sector has been making to invest in its future workforce.

“Although the Chancellor did not announce any specific measure targeting the automotive sector, it is important that we continue to monitor how consumers and automotive businesses perform over the coming months to be ready to act and support the industry if and when required”.