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What Britain's young people hope to be – and it's not pop stars, Mr Cameron What Britain's young people hope to be – and it's not pop stars, Mr Cameron
(2 months later)
David Cameron recently shared his views on youthful aspiration in the UK: "If you ask them, all they want to be is pop stars and footballers," he opined, echoing a popular view. Well, we have asked them – and their answers may well surprise him.David Cameron recently shared his views on youthful aspiration in the UK: "If you ask them, all they want to be is pop stars and footballers," he opined, echoing a popular view. Well, we have asked them – and their answers may well surprise him.
In fact, most young people's aspirations are serious and grounded. Simply being employed is the universal goal, with gaining qualifications and home ownership in second and third places. Being famous or on the telly scores just 6% and owning designer brands is dismissed by all but a paltry 1%. They are not afraid of hard work either: two-thirds say they'd rather work than be on benefits, even if it paid less.In fact, most young people's aspirations are serious and grounded. Simply being employed is the universal goal, with gaining qualifications and home ownership in second and third places. Being famous or on the telly scores just 6% and owning designer brands is dismissed by all but a paltry 1%. They are not afraid of hard work either: two-thirds say they'd rather work than be on benefits, even if it paid less.
So far so good. But this generally positive survey raises some real challenges for politicians and policymakers. Despite the modesty of young people's aims, disappointment looms unless the reality can more closely match expectations. None expects to be unemployed after completing education, and most expect to be earning £35,000 a year in 10 years' time – £14,000 more than the likely median earnings of £21,000. Two-thirds imagine they will own their own home by the age of 35. Westminster might do well to spend less time debating lowering the voting age for first-time voters and more time considering how to make these aspirations a possibility.So far so good. But this generally positive survey raises some real challenges for politicians and policymakers. Despite the modesty of young people's aims, disappointment looms unless the reality can more closely match expectations. None expects to be unemployed after completing education, and most expect to be earning £35,000 a year in 10 years' time – £14,000 more than the likely median earnings of £21,000. Two-thirds imagine they will own their own home by the age of 35. Westminster might do well to spend less time debating lowering the voting age for first-time voters and more time considering how to make these aspirations a possibility.
And there's a further problem. While many feel confident about the future, a significant group – a quarter of our sample – are anticipating certain failure. Gloomy about what lies ahead, a shocking two-thirds fear experiencing mental health problems. They feel ill-equipped to deal with the problems they face and unsupported by family and school. Less likely to see university as affordable, they bemoan the lack of good vocational education – especially apprenticeships. These most vulnerable young people see a dearth of opportunities for people like them and fear future reliance on benefits. They should be at the top of any politician's to-do list.And there's a further problem. While many feel confident about the future, a significant group – a quarter of our sample – are anticipating certain failure. Gloomy about what lies ahead, a shocking two-thirds fear experiencing mental health problems. They feel ill-equipped to deal with the problems they face and unsupported by family and school. Less likely to see university as affordable, they bemoan the lack of good vocational education – especially apprenticeships. These most vulnerable young people see a dearth of opportunities for people like them and fear future reliance on benefits. They should be at the top of any politician's to-do list.
But perhaps the greatest challenge is just how little faith all the young people we spoke to place in politics and politicians. Only a third agree that a political party could help them to achieve their aims, and only 55% think it worth voting. They are in danger of giving up on democracy. It seems some are giving up up on the UK, too. Half say they expect to have to work abroad to achieve their goals. Does Angela Merkel's offer of German apprenticeships show she understands our youngsters better than David Cameron does?But perhaps the greatest challenge is just how little faith all the young people we spoke to place in politics and politicians. Only a third agree that a political party could help them to achieve their aims, and only 55% think it worth voting. They are in danger of giving up on democracy. It seems some are giving up up on the UK, too. Half say they expect to have to work abroad to achieve their goals. Does Angela Merkel's offer of German apprenticeships show she understands our youngsters better than David Cameron does?
• Deborah Mattinson is the co-founder of BritainThinks • Deborah Mattinson is the co-founder of BritainThinks
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