Young ‘not in control’ of lives

ANXIETY is gripping record numbers of young Scots with a third admitting they do not feel in control of their lives, a study found.

Levels of happiness and self-confidence have also fallen to their lowest levels since the annual Prince’s Trust Macquarie Youth Index was launched nine years ago.

The report, published today, also hints at fading hopes with almost half of 16 to 25year-olds fearing they would face fewer job opportunities over the next three years.

The Prince’s Trust said its findings were a warning for the Scottish Government and employers that more must be done to build youngster’s skills and confidence.

The Index is a national survey that gauges young people’s happiness and confidence across a range of areas from working life to physical and mental health.

And it shows their sense of wellbeing, which dropped last year to its lowest level since the Index was first commissioned, has fallen again this year.

The number of young Scots who feel they are not in charge of their lives rose from just under a quarter (24 per cent) 12 months ago to a high of 32 per cent.

Of the young people surveyed, 64 per cent blamed the unpredictable political climate for making them anxious about their future. Nearly half of young people (49 per cent) worry about their finances while almost a fifth (19 per cent) even think their life will amount to nothing.

Almost half of young Scots (46 per cent) fear the economy will provide fewer job opportunities for their generation.

Reece Hayes, a Prince’s Trust Scotland young ambassador, said: ‘I felt like a failure applying for jobs. Even when you secure work, it’s often temporary, low paid, and not necessarily in the sector you want to build a career in.’

The Trust said 2,194 16-25 year olds took part in the online survey.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We have reduced youth unemployment by 40 per cent and are continuing to grow the successful Modern Apprenticeship programme.’