Young Brits seek opportunities elsewhere: Survey
A new survey reveals that 85% of 16- to 18-year-olds in the UK believe that succeeding in their area is not feasible.
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The Westminster district of the United Kingdom’s capital, London. (AFP)
The Guardian reported that more than four in five 16- to 18-year-olds in the UK believe they must relocate from their regions in search of improved prospects, with over 90% of those surveyed in the northeast, Yorkshire, and the east of England, according to a survey conducted by the Social Mobility Foundation, which polled 2,000 individuals.
On average, more than 85% of respondents felt compelled to move, with the east of England recording the highest percentage at 95%, followed by 91% in the northeast, 90% in Yorkshire, and 88% in the northwest, as per the report.
Tom Brennan, 18, who lives in Ipswich, said as quoted by The Guardian, “To be honest, the biggest thing going for the town is its proximity to London. There’s not many opportunities or events happening here.”
"There’s not that many computer science roles available here. I’ll probably move to London,” Brennan added.
Most impoverished UK towns in east
The eastern region of England is home to several of the UK's most impoverished towns, including Jaywick, which has earned the distinction of being the most deprived area in the country. In 2018, a special rapporteur from the United Nations conducted a visit to the town of Essex to examine issues of poverty in the United Kingdom.
Lisa Nandy, the shadow cabinet minister for international development, was quoted by The Guardian as saying that young people were being compelled “to get out to get on [as] the home towns they leave behind have suffered.”
Meanwhile, Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, stated the findings were “extremely worrying.”
“It shouldn’t be the case that you need to leave to achieve. The sad indictment of modern British society is that where you come from has a profound impact on your life chances. This survey reflects that,” he said. “If you’re serious about social mobility, a redistribution of job opportunities across the country is the number one thing to do on this,” he told The Guardian.
It is worth noting that the younger generation in the UK is facing significant challenges amid inflation and rising prices. With the cost of living steadily increasing, young adults are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.
