Young people fear long-term unemployment

Many young people in England are worried about not finding jobs for a long time, according to a new report. They are losing hope about their future and think they might not find work.

The report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) looked at information from surveys. It found that people aged 16 to 21 feel less sure about succeeding in life compared to 10 years ago.

The study also shows that younger people are less convinced than older people that working hard will lead to good results. Only one in four young adults (aged 16-29) believe everyone has a fair chance to succeed based on their talent and effort. This is much lower than older age groups.

There is growing worry among politicians about the problems young people face. The number of people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment, or training (known as Neets) has gone over 1 million for the first time in 10 years.

A government review is looking into how to solve this problem. An early report warned that Britain could have a lost generation and that the number of Neets could rise by 25% to 1.25 million by 2030 if nothing is done.

The IPPR believes that this lack of confidence is not just bad for young people, but also for the economy. It might stop young people from studying, working hard, and saving money.

Ellie Harris from the IPPR said that young people feel the current situation doesnt make sense anymore. For many, the idea that hard work leads to security and opportunity is not believable. She added that this problem affects people from all backgrounds and genders.

The report also showed that the number of young people who believe they have a high chance of long-term unemployment has more than tripled in recent years.

Researchers think several things might be causing this. These include the effects of budget cuts, changes in online information, and young peoples declining mental health. Young people might also be making realistic conclusions based on the difficult conditions around them, like high youth unemployment and expensive housing.

The government has announced a large support package to help young people find jobs or continue learning. They are also opening more youth hubs across the country to offer skills, job, and housing help.