60 YOUNG PEOPLE IN £19,603 SUPPORTED WITH COST OF RETURNING TO WORK

SNP BACKING YOUNG PEOPLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT 
 
Local SNP MSP Colin Beattie has encouraged young people starting a new job this summer to check if they can get support with costs.
 
It comes after figures revealed that 60 people in Midlothian have benefitted from the Job Start Payment since it was introduced by the SNP Scottish Government.
 
The latest statistics show that young people in Midlothian have received £19,603 in support to help with the practical costs of starting a new job such as clothes, travel, tools or childcare.
 
The payment, which is delivered by Social Security Scotland, of over £330 is available to people who have been out of work and receiving certain benefits for at least six months and does not need to be paid back.
 
Care leavers can apply for the payment between the ages of 16 and 25 and need to be out of work and receiving a qualifying benefit on the day of the job offer.  
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:
 
“We need to do all we can to get young people out of unemployment and moving our economy moving forward - that’s exactly what this support does.
 
“The cost of essentials has soared under the UK Labour Government and starting a new job can be particularly expensive - that’s why the Job Start Payment, introduced by the SNP, is so important in removing those financial barriers and giving our young people a hand up into work. 
 
“60 young people in Midlothian have benefitted from the payment which can help with the cost of work clothes, travel, tools, childcare or lunches. It all adds up and it’s absolutely right we do what we can to boost our workforce. 
 
“The SNP will always be on the side of Scotland’s young people - opportunity should not be restricted to those with the ability to pay and that’s why Scotland remains the only part of the UK where students don’t need to pay to study at university and bus travel is free for under-22s.
 
“I would encourage young people in Midlothian who are starting a new job this summer to check if they are eligible to receive the Job Start Payment.”
 
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