Recommendation 21

The Department said that Kickstart is “in many ways a flagship” scheme. However, it operates alongside a range of other types of support that the department provides.82 The Association for Convenience Stores told us that the large range of support schemes can mean that some smaller employers are hesitant to engage, as they have to consider the suitability of their business and the costs and benefits of Kickstart, apprenticeships, and other schemes they might get involved with.83 The Department told us that it had worked with the Department for Education to ensure that employers could still get incentives 75 Q27. 76 Q82; C&AG’s Report, paragraph 21. 77 Q80, C&AG’s Report, paragraph 3.24. 78 Qq78, 97. 79 Q32. 80 Ev x Catch-22. 81 Ev x Prince’s Trust. 82 Q2. 83 Association for Convenience Stores. DWP Employment Support: Kickstart Scheme 17 to take on Kickstart participants as apprentices after Kickstart, although it was not able to provide a clear answer as to how the Department, or the Department for Education, ensures that businesses know about this option when a Kickstart job placement ends.84