Key facts
- Over 40% of 25-year-olds are living with their parents.
- Citizens Advice reports increasing numbers of young people struggle to afford essentials without parental support.
- Eleanor Bell, 23, a care leaver with a first-class degree, is struggling to find employment.
- Sam Barrett, 24, is a part-time student and carer whose benefits do not cover her main expenses.
- Ezgi Polat, 23, accumulated £4,000 in debt after losing her job and falling behind on rent and bills.
- 57% of people in their 20s are behind on at least one bill, according to a Citizens Advice survey.
Many young people are finding it increasingly difficult to achieve independence, with a significant portion relying on financial support from their parents to cover living costs. However, for those without such a safety net, the struggle is amplified.
Eleanor Bell, 23, from East Riding of Yorkshire, who was in care from the age of 10, has a first-class degree but has been unable to secure employment since graduating two years ago. She has applied for numerous jobs and had a few unsuccessful interviews. Currently living with her boyfriend outside Penistone, South Yorkshire, she finds the rural location challenging for her job search due to not having a driving license. She notes that many of her peers secured jobs through family connections. Bell expressed sadness that while many young people live with their parents, those without that option feel left behind, likening her situation to 'treading water' without a 'buoyancy aid'. Official figures indicate that 39% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 in England are not in education, employment, or training, compared to about 13% of young people overall. Bell feels the lack of familial preparation and support leaves her feeling 'lost'.
In Sunderland, Sam Barrett, 24, is studying part-time after leaving a full-time hospitality job to care for her mother. She stated that her Carer's Allowance and Universal Credit do not cover her primary expenses, leaving her unable to afford luxuries or social activities. While her mother offers some financial help, Barrett is conscious of their limited resources. She feels it's unfair that others her age have advantages like parental funding for driving lessons and cars, and she is angry about the lack of pay for carers, believing she is saving the government money.
Ezgi Polat, 23, from Cambridgeshire, lost her job a year ago, leading to difficulties in paying rent and bills. Her family was also facing financial struggles, and she accumulated approximately £4,000 in debt. After her local bus service was canceled, making job center visits difficult, her benefits were reduced. With rent at £460 per month and additional utility bills, council tax, and living costs on a £360 Universal Credit payment, her debt grew. She sought help from Citizens Advice, and her rent arrears were cleared by the council three months ago. She has since secured a job in a warehouse and feels her life is improving.
A survey by Citizens Advice found that 57% of individuals in their 20s are behind on at least one bill, compared to 36% of all adults. The government stated its commitment to creating opportunities for young people through a £2.5 billion investment in apprenticeships, job grants, and training, and highlighted the Renters' Rights Act for tenant protection.
Luke Young, head of policy at Citizens Advice, observed that young people are caught between rising costs and a challenging job market, with a growing divide between those who have financial support from families and those who do not.