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Young people on benefits will be offered six month work placements under a new government initiative. The two billion pounds "kickstart" programme is designed to help 16 to 24 year-olds who are struggling to find jobs in the coronavirus crisis. There are concerns that employers will sack existing staff and use the scheme to plug gaps in their workforce. The Work and Pensions Secretary, Therese Coffey, told Martha Kearney that won't happen: "It鈥檚 the criteria that we have set, that鈥檚 why all applications will be assessed, it鈥檚 not the aim to see all of these employers will lay people off and bring in new people into the work environment." She went on to say: "This is mutually beneficial for the businesses, who鈥檒l get some extra labour support but also are investing in the young generation and they鈥檒l get that extra help as well with wrap around help for training and other costs. It鈥檚 an exciting time and I know there are many young people who are very keen to get into the world of work and we believe this scheme will help them do that." With Dan Johnson, 91热爆 Education Correspondent.

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