Scottish Conservative MSPs praise success of UK Government's Kickstart scheme for providing jobs for youngsters in Perth and Kinross

MSPs Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith

Scottish Conservative MSPs Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith have hailed Rishi Sunak for helping young people back into work in Perth and Kinross.

New figures show that the UK Chancellor’s Kickstart Scheme has helped 180 youngsters aged 16-24 gain new opportunities in the region, since the scheme was launched.

Mr Fraser and Liz Smith say it is further evidence that Rishi Sunak and the UK Government are prepared to step up at every turn to support jobs and economic recovery in Perth and Kinross.

Overall, the Kickstart Scheme has made 420 jobs available in Perth and Kinross.

Both MSPs recognise young people have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic but insist schemes like Kickstart are the right way to help them back into employment.

Commenting, Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “Rishi Sunak’s Kickstart Scheme has already helped young people across Perth and Kinross back into work.

“It shows that the UK Chancellor is once again prepared to support and accelerate our recovery in the region.”

And Liz Smith, who also represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, added: “Young people have found the pandemic especially hard and must be supported as quickly as possible back into employment. The Kickstart Scheme from the UK Government is already helping to do that, with many more jobs made available in Perth and Kinross.

“It is crucial both of Scotland’s governments fully focus on our recovery to ensure our communities can rebuild after the pandemic.”

 

 

 

 

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Murdo Fraser MSP

Murdo Fraser

Murdo Fraser was born in Inverness and studied law at Aberdeen University before practicing as a solicitor in Edinburgh. In the 1999 Scottish Parliament Election, Murdo stood as the Conservative candidate for North Tayside, and fought the constituency again at the 2001 General Election. He became a Member of the Scottish Parliament in August 2001 following the resignation of the previous List Member for Mid-Scotland and Fife, and was re-elected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2021. Murdo was Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservatives from November 2005 to November 2011 and has served as spokesman on Education, Health, Economy and Finance. Murdo was delighted to be re-elected in 2021 and is now Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery.

Liz Smith

Liz Smith

Liz Smith was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011, 2016 and in 2021. She is one of four Conservative Regional Members for Mid Scotland and Fife. Following her long-serving role as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, she became Chief Whip in February 2020. Following the 2021 election, Liz took over the role of Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy and chairs two cross party committees: those on Colleges and Universities, and Sport.