Young people in England losing faith in future, IPPR report finds
11 reported
A new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) finds that young people in England are increasingly losing confidence in their futures, with record numbers fearing long-term unemployment. The analysis, which includes data from the Office for National Statistics, shows that 16- to 21-year-olds are less confident about being successful than a decade ago. The IPPR also reports that younger people are less convinced than older generations that hard work will be rewarded. The findings come as policymakers express concern over the number of 16- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neets), which recently exceeded 1 million for the first time in a decade. Former Labour minister Alan Milburn is reviewing the issue for the government, with his findings due later this year. The IPPR argues that falling confidence can harm the economy by disincentivizing young people from studying and saving.
What’s reported
The IPPR report analyzes survey data, including from the Office for National Statistics.
Just one in four 16- to 29-year-olds agreed that “everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their talent and hard work will take them,” compared with 35% of 50- to 69-year-olds and more than 40% of over-70s.
The number of 16- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neets) recently exceeded 1 million for the first time in a decade.
Former Labour minister Alan Milburn is reviewing how to reverse the rise in Neets, with findings due later this year.
In an interim report, Milburn warned Britain was at risk of a “lost generation” and on track for a 25% rise in Neets to 1.25 million by 2030 if action is not taken.
Among 16- to 21-year-olds, the proportion rating their chance of future success at 20% or less tripled from 2% in 2015-17 to 6% in 2023-25.
The share who believed they had an 80%-plus chance of long-term unemployment more than tripled to 7% over the same period.
The IPPR estimates that as many as four in 10 women and three in 10 men aged 16 to 24 have poor mental health.
Among those with poor mental health, just 24% believe they have a good chance of succeeding in life, compared with 48% of their peers.
A government spokesperson said the government is bringing forward a £2.5bn youth employment support package to help almost 1 million young people.
The IPPR’s research is part of a project called State of a Generation, sponsored by Youth Futures Foundation, Big Change, and McDonald’s.
Key figures
Ellie Harris, IPPR’s head of children and young people
Alan Milburn, former Labour minister
Keir Starmer (mentioned in relation to expected social media restrictions for under-16s)
Government spokesperson (unnamed)
Sources: The Guardian
