For young people, the prospect of building a stable and independent future feels increasingly uncertain. From rising living costs and access to education to the loss of community spaces, the pressures shaping our lives go far beyond money. Ahead of the Autumn Budget, I want decision-makers to understand why young people need tangible change, not another promise.
Author: Sofia Mutumba
I feel that what the Chancellor and decision-makers need to understand is that a lot of the growing frustration among young people today stems from fear, a growing sense of helplessness and an immense lack of control.
With increasing university tuition fees, rent and house prices, all the things that make up the ‘stable’ and ‘successful’ life many young people strive for are becoming increasingly out of reach. A house, a career, a community and the ability to make our own money all feel as though they're slipping away.
These pressures don't just affect our own futures. We also see their impact on the people around us.
When it comes to taxation, although it may not directly affect many young people, this sense of helplessness is amplified when we witness the very real struggles of our parents and guardians. I believe young people need to see changes in taxation and funding that allow the adults in our lives to provide for us without having to work multiple jobs. We need a future where people can afford their rent and still have room to breathe, supported by salaries that allow them to live comfortably.
We need a system in which those who have the means are taxed accordingly . Research cited by Tax Justice UK suggests that a 2% annual tax on wealth above £10 million could raise up to £24 billion a year. That could transform our education, our transport, our healthcare, our lives, and our view of and trust in government.
We need tangible change, not another promise or pledge.
But building a better future for young people isn't just about financial security. It's also about having places to belong, connect and build relationships.
Many young people are desperate for community. With the decline in third spaces, school clubs and other funded youth spaces, the only place left offering the connection we desire can feel like social media. The online world is no longer a separate space. It no longer simply coexists alongside the real world; it is the real world for many young people today. More funding needs to go into regulating these spaces, particularly the algorithms that shape what young people see, while also creating safe spaces for children and young people to interact beyond their screens.
Young people are tired of action that only addresses the symptoms. We need government to tackle the root causes and provide solutions we can see, not just hear.