Majority of young people have ‘poverty of hope’, children’s charity claims

Young people are suffering from “poverty of hope”, with more than two-thirds believing they will be worse off than their parents, a children’s charity has said.

A Barnardo’s-commissioned study also found more than a third of 16 to 24-year-olds are negative about their future, citing a lack of jobs, money worries and high house prices.

More than half said climate change is one of the most important issues facing the country over the next three to five years.

The charity’s Overcoming the Poverty of Hope report also shows a majority of young people think the Government cares more about older generations.

Harry Scott, 16, from North Shields in Tyneside, who attends a Barnardo’s-run youth support service, said: “With the technology evolving all the time it’s hard for jobs to be secure because there’s so much change that will only accelerate and certain jobs will become obsolete.

“I want to join the police force but they might not be recruiting as the numbers are going down with all public services being cut.”

The report will be launched at the House of Commons on Monday, sponsored by MP Robert Halfon.

TV presenter and mother-of-two Natasha Kaplinsky will also be announced as the new Barnardo’s president.

Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan (pictured) said: “While material poverty is part of the problem, many children and young people today also feel there is little or no possibility of a positive future, what we call a ‘poverty of hope’.

“The voices of young people are missing from debates about the challenges facing the country. They feel ignored by society and decision makers who are focussed on the concerns of older generations.”

The findings came from a YouGov poll of 1,036 16 to 24-year-olds commissioned by Barnardo’s.

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