Setting a minimum age of 16 on addictive social media apps is a vital first step. Parents and children want to see a digital world that works for them, not tech companies. The Govt must now stand firm in the face of tech industry lobbying and stay the course to protect children and young people.
We should not expect a generation of young people to be anything other than angry and cynical as they wait for help, while being blamed by some from older generations who did not face the same kind of challenges.
The Government has made some progress but the number of NEETs remains historically high. Radical action is now needed, and that must include a wholesale rebuilding of the broken systems of early years help, education and learning, and community-based, early, and consistent mental health support.
During 2025 and early 2026, we partnered with @mission44.bsky.social 44 to host a nationwide series of events aimed at helping schools and their partners become more ambitious about inclusion.
Here's just a flavour of the brilliant ideas and best practice we heard about.
Boosting the life chances of those young people, who feel stuck in a cycle of welfare dependency and held back by a lack of opportunity, is possible. But it needs a change of mindset that recognises the scale of this national emergency.
We've published a new report, ‘Starting Well: Lessons from local areas on how to ensure all children are school ready’. Drawing on interviews with local authorities, we highlight what is working to improve early years outcomes and the barriers.
www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...
We are seeing a generation of anxious and isolated young people who are denied access to the pathways into employment travelled by previous generations. The consequences for their life chances, our economy and wider society are disastrous - and should concern every government department.
Centre for Young Lives
Alan Milburn’s report puts to bed the nonsense that this is a ‘Snowflake Generation’ unwilling and unable to work. The reality is there are hundreds of thousands of young people not in education, employment or training who want to get into work but are being held back.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
We were pleased to contribute to a new @cfyounglives.bsky.social report on achieving the Government's school readiness target as members of its expert advisory group.
The report highlights the need for stronger early years systems and urgent action to tackle inequality.
bit.ly/4gazHVp
