Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, was invited to visit Haven’s Haggerston Castle Holiday Park on Friday to meet the park’s first employee under the government’s Kickstart scheme.
The scheme provides funding for employers taking on 16-24 year olds who might otherwise be at risk of long-term unemployment. It covers 100% of National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage (depending on the age of the employee) for 25 hours per week for six months. The scheme also covers National Insurance and auto-enrolment pension contributions. Further funding is available for training and other support to help employers create long-term jobs for young people.
The MP met Anthony Swan, the first employee at the Park under the scheme, and also talked to Park Manager David Fairclough about how they have found the scheme so far. Kay Charlton and Claire Duggan – local Department for Work and Pensions representatives - also joined the visit to talk about the scheme and how it is working across the county.
Anne-Marie said: “I am delighted to have been asked along to talk to Anthony and hear from him how he is finding the Kickstart scheme. It was great to witness his enthusiasm and passion when telling me about the new skills he has learned. This scheme is a great deal for businesses and for the young people it helps into work.
“It was also wonderful to see the Park doing so well now that restrictions are lifting, welcoming visitors to this fantastic corner of Northumberland once more.”
More information on the kickstart scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme
Photo 1: L-R Anne-Marie, Anthony Swan, David Fairclough, Kay Charlton and Claire Duggan
Photo 2: L-R Anne-Marie with Anthony Swan and David Fairclough