Local businesses have been urged to help more young people start working by signing up for the Government's new Kickstart Scheme.

The £2 billion scheme has been designed to get young people into work, especially those who are at risk of long term unemployment.

It's hoped that the scheme will help to spur the country's economic recovery after the Coronavirus pandemic by creating Government-subsidised jobs across the UK.

Moorlands MP Karen Bradley has since encouraged local businesses to sign up for the scheme.

She said: "I welcome the announcement of the Government's £2 billion Kickstart scheme and I'm calling on local employers across the Moorlands to sign up to provide Kickstart jobs."

Under the scheme, announced in June as part of the Government's plan for jobs, employers that sign up will be able to offer youngsters aged 16 - 24 who are claiming Universal Credit a six-month work placement that is fully funded by the government.

This means the Government will pay 100% of the young persons' age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week, which the employer can top up if they chose to.

In addition, the Government will also pay the employer £1500 for each young person they take on, to support any training or associated costs like uniforms that they might incur when setting up the scheme.

The scheme will initially be open until December 2021, but there is the option for it to be extended.

Young people will be referred into the new roles through their Jobcentre Plus work coach, with the first Kickstarts expected to begin at the start of November.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: "This isn't just about kick-starting our country's economy – it is an opportunity to kick-start the careers of thousands of young people who could otherwise be left behind as a result of the pandemic.

"The scheme will open the door to a brighter future for a new generation and ensure the UK bounces back stronger as a country."