A GLASGOW jobs programme for young people will aim to reach those “that other schemes are not reaching”, the council leader has said.

Susan Aitken confirmed the Glasgow Guarantee can continue despite the financial challenges of Covid-19.

She also said the UK Government’s new Kickstart scheme lacks ambition and “does not go far enough”.

The council leader was responding to a question from Glasgow Labour’s Frank McAveety, who asked how the UK plan would impact the Guarantee, which helps the unemployed and those about to leave school or college.

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Ms Aitken said officers are “developing options as to how best the Glasgow Guarantee scheme can support residents most effectively”.

“From initial discussions with colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions, it is our understanding that they will have responsibility for delivery of Kickstart.

“However, we have not actually been able to confirm this yet.”

She said officers would “look at where there is overlap and where there are gaps” once more details have been revealed to “make sure the Glasgow Guarantee resource is used in the most effective way”.

They will look at the “discrepancy between the UK Government’s minimum wage and the Scottish and Glasgow living wages”, she added.

The UK Government has said the £2billion Kickstart scheme will create hundreds of thousands of jobs for people between 16 and 24 who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

Funding for each six-month placement will cover 100 percent of the UK Government’s national minimum wage for 25 hours a week.

The national minimum wage is currently £8.20 per hour for those between 21 and 24, £6.45 for people aged 18 to 20 and £4.55 for anyone under 18.

Glasgow’s living wage, paid by around 400 employers, is currently £9.30 per hour.

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Mr McAveety asked the council leader whether the Guarantee could continue “for the remainder of our session, in spite of the challenges we face financially”.

Ms Aitken said: “I can absolutely confirm that the not inconsiderable resource, that is committed to the Glasgow Guarantee, will continue to support employability.

“What we have to work out is what exactly does the Glasgow Guarantee look like in future.

“And that is where we need to get more detail on the Kickstart scheme, which I completely agree with you does lack ambition and doesn’t go far enough.”

She anticipates the Scottish Government’s youth jobs guarantee will “be more comprehensive” but the council does not “yet have full details”.

“That is where we need to look at where is there potential overlap.

“Are there bits that we do in the Glasgow Guarantee just now which in future are going to be done on a national level?

“If that is the case, how do we make sure that resource, which will remain absolutely focused on supporting people into work, is targeted where it is most needed?

“Rather than being used in areas where there is perhaps already being resource committed.”

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She added: “We will work to reach the people that other schemes are not reaching.”

Employability activity in Glasgow is coordinated through the Glasgow Partnership for Economic Growth’s employment and skills hub, which the DWP is a partner in.

Ms Aitken said: “The hub has met on several occasions during the pandemic to consider the city’s employability response.

“Their view is that Glasgow City Council employability support should continue to focus on individuals with multiple barriers to employment.”