Response to ONS labour market statistics

Matthew Percival, CBI People & Skills Director, said:

“Clear evidence about the impact of the pandemic on young people over the past year reinforces the need to extend the deadline for the Kickstart scheme for another six months.

“With approximately five million people still on furlough, the Chancellor’s move to extend and taper the scheme will help support many jobs as the roadmap for reopening gets underway.

“Continuing good progress on the vaccine rollout, combined with accelerating workplace testing, will help ensure the UK is best-placed to recover in the second half of this year.”