A survey of more than 1,400 young people by UNISON, the UK’s largest union, shows that 93% do not think the government is doing enough to help them to cope with the recession.
The survey also shows that only 41% of young people feel optimistic about the future. This is shocking given that the survey covered young people who are in work. Levels of optimism amongst the million under 25’s who have not found work will be even lower.
Young women are being hardest hit in the race for jobs; 27% applied for 21 or more positions before they got a job, compared with 20% of young men. It took 10% of the young people surveyed more than one year to find a job.
A worrying 15% of young people have debts of more than £20,000.
UNISON is warning the government that its total lack of understanding and dearth of policies to help young people is turning them off the whole political process, with 24% saying that they would not bother to vote in the next election.
Young people’s top priorities for action include help with the rising cost of living, action to boost low wages, and help to find jobs – hardly surprising given that the UK now has one of the worst levels for youth unemployment in the developed world. Only Spain and Greece have higher levels of youth unemployment in the OECD.
Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary, said: “This survey makes chilling reading. The government is failing young people – a staggering 93% say that the Tory-led coalition is not doing enough to help them cope with the recession. Many feel they are facing a bleak future, with this government only making matters worse.
“The government is failing future generations by cutting the services, benefits and support that young people need and rely on. What the under 25’s need is targeted help now to find decent jobs, more top quality apprenticeship opportunities and to be properly paid for the work that they do.
“Many feel like their futures have been consigned to the rubbish bin – no wonder they are losing hope with politics.”
The survey coincides with the launch of a report, A Better Start for Young People, being launched by UNISON today. The document sets out the union’s wide-ranging vision for young people, and highlights its deep concern over the comprehensive assault on the services and benefits that young people lean on.
Since the coalition came to power, young people have lost the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), the Connexions service that provided them with targeted help to find work, and the Future Jobs Fund, and they’ve seen a huge rise in tuition fees as well as massive cuts to youth services. Housing benefit entitlements have been cut and the number of available jobs have dramatically reduced.
The union is warning the government that inaction will not only rob this generation of life chances, but will blight our country for years to come.
Notes to editors:
1,411 people responded to UNISON’s survey of people aged between 17 and 25, which was carried out in March 2013.
95% of those who responded were in work, 83% have just one job and 75% work full time.
