Businesses across Fylde can now apply to the Government’s £2 billion Kickstart scheme, designed to put young people at risk of long-term unemployment into six-month placements across the private, public and voluntary sectors.
Following the unavoidable economic downturn we saw during the Coronavirus lockdown period, this scheme provides funding to businesses to cover the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions where applicable. There will be an additional £1,500 funding for start-up and wrap around support for each placement created.
Businesses that need an extra member of staff, but which cannot afford to take one on at present, can do so via this scheme and help build revenues to support that newly-created role in future.
It is vital we get the economy moving again – for the good of everyone’s health and wellbeing.
It has been great to see schools return this week, and I understand the consternation and worry many people will be feeling. This is the first step back to ‘normal’ and I would like to thank all of the teachers, classroom assistants and school support staff for their efforts. It has been an incredible task, changing timetables, bringing in new start and finish times, and redesigning classroom spaces.
It is important we keep up with our social distancing to help ensure the return to school goes well – our schoolchildren need to be back in full-time education.
I am delighted the Government has awarded a £317 million contract to BAE Systems to develop the next generation of radar for Eurofighter Typhoon.
The award protects 120 highly-skilled roles in Warton, and future-proofs Typhoon ensuring it remains the best dual-role aircraft in the world.
I have further meetings this week to discuss the dreadful flooding which happened across Fylde last month. I’ve a question to raise with Government in Parliament, and a zoom meeting with Lancashire County Council, Fylde Council, United Utilities and the Environment Agency.