19 Accepted

The Department does record some data on the more serious issues it has become aware...

Conclusion
The Department does record some data on the more serious issues it has become aware of, including cases where health and safety concerns had been raised by participants or account managers, and instances where young people were working in Kickstart jobs but were not being paid. The Department told us that these ‘complex cases’ in which it had to address issues with an employer had affected 1,657 Kickstart participants. Of these 1,657 participants, the Department said that 500 were able to finish their Kickstart job while the remaining 1,157 Kickstart jobs were withdrawn and the participants were provided with alternative support.78 The Department also gave examples of Kickstart jobs that were going well, including one example of a young person who had taken up a care assistant role, which had boosted their confidence and prospects for competing in the open labour market after their placement.79
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation on recording serious issues, committing to an evaluation of employer compliance through surveys, which may lead to enhanced communications or operational checks. It is also considering options for sample checks on employers and for the recovery of misspent funds.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2022 5.2 Part of the Scheme evaluation is covering the delivery of employability support using employer and gateways surveys. This will provide the department with an overview of employers’ compliance to deliver employability support. Any findings which prompt immediate action will be addressed through enhanced communications with employers or potentially increasing operational checks on them. In addition, the department is considering options for undertaking sample checks on employers, which will include whether the employability support is delivered as set out in the employer’s grant application. The department expects to complete this options scoping work by the end of Spring 2022 The department is also considering options for recovery of misspent funds.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 4.4 yrs
Report published 25 Feb 2022