Just 1,868 young people have started job placements so far as part of a flagship £2bn Covid work scheme. The Kickstart programme was launched in September by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in a blaze of publicity.
It supports firms to offer six-month work placements to 16-24 year olds who are in receipt of Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.
Last night the DWP boasted it had "created 120,000 jobs". But the number of placements actually started by young workers so far is 1,868.
The DWP released the official figure to an MP on January 19. Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey today admitted it might look like a "slow start" but insisted it will accelerate.
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