Young people must be at the heart of COVID-19 economic recovery plans Health Foundation response to the government Kickstart Scheme uptake

Responding to the government Kickstart Scheme uptake, Jo Bibby, Director of Health at the Health Foundation, said: 

'As part of our ongoing COVID-19 impact inquiry, we’ve seen that young people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, as they are more likely to have experienced a sustained reduction in pay, been put on furlough or let go from their jobs all together.  

'Employment and income are some of the essential building blocks that support young people to live a healthy life, as they foster feelings of independence, confidence and resilience. The importance of this cannot be understated, and so it is critical that the government scales up the Kickstart programme and places young people at the heart of their COVID-19 economic recovery plans. The country’s future prosperity depends on the health and wellbeing of this age group. We cannot allow the pandemic to scar the Lockdown Generation for decades to come.'

Media contact

Simon Perry
Simon.Perry@health.org.uk
020 7257 2093