Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Rachael Hamilton has welcomed interventions by Rishi Sunak for helping young people back into work.
New figures show that the UK Chancellor’s Kickstart Scheme has helped 200 youngsters aged 16-24 gain new opportunities, since the scheme was launched.
Rachael Hamilton says it is further evidence that Rishi Sunak and the UK Government are prepared to step up at every turn to support jobs and economic recovery in the Scottish Borders.
Overall, the Kickstart Scheme has made 200 jobs available in the Scottish Borders.
Rachael Hamilton recognises young people have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic but insists schemes like Kickstart are the right way to help them back into employment.
She believes that schemes such as these are vital at retaining young people in rural communities, rather than choosing to go to large cities such as Edinburgh or Newcastle.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“Rishi Sunak’s Kickstart Scheme has already helped young people across the Borders back into work.
“It shows that the UK Chancellor is once again prepared to support and accelerate our recovery in the Borders.
“Young people have found the pandemic especially hard, and must be supported as quickly as possible back into employment.
“The Kickstart Scheme from the UK Government is already helping to do that, with many more jobs made available in the Borders.
“It is crucial both of Scotland’s governments fully focus on our recovery to ensure our communities can rebuild after the pandemic.”