Advertisement
Housing

Housing and education policy has impacted on young people’s long-term health

The UK’s 12-24 year-olds face a serious risk to health, the Health Foundation’s two-year inquiry into future health finds

A whole government approach is required to secure the future health of today’s young people, says the Health Foundation after concluding their two-year inquiry into the matter.

The charity found that policies across housing, transport and education had created a serious risk of ill health in later life for people aged between 12 and 24 years.

More than 600 young people told them of how a challenging housing market had left them trapped in poor quality, shorter-term rental homes and priced out of buying long-term properties. Or how the job market struggled to provide secure rewarding work.

Or how a fragmented approach to spending and investment in young people across multiple government departments had impacted on their prospects.

“Most people wouldn’t automatically think that housing, transport and education policies have much to do with people’s health,” said Jo Bibby, director of health at the Health Foundation. “However, our inquiry has shown that getting these – and other areas of government policy – right for young people sets them on course for a healthy future. This is why we are recommending changes to ensure young people have somewhere to call home, rewarding work and supportive relationships with friends, families and communities.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

“It is apparent that the arbitrary division of responsibilities between different sectors is letting young people down and jeopardising their long-term health. We must address these divisions and ensure there is a whole government approach to drive us towards a healthy future.”

The inquiry features a series of recommendations to push young people’s issues up the agenda.

There are calls for discounted and free public transport for students, an end for the ‘teach to test’ culture that places emphasis on exams to the detriment of mental health and significant reforms to the private rental sector, including minimum standards for landlords and greater support for ‘build to rent’ schemes.

Evie Basch, 20, from Bristol, took part in the inquiry’s research and is a member of its Young People’s Steering Group. She said: “Throughout the inquiry it became obvious that although we were looking at separate topics – housing, work, transport and mental health support – they were all interlinked with each other.

“Moving towards an integrated system in terms of health care, benefits, social services and more, should be something to strive towards. It is vital that young people are consulted in decisions that affect their futures.”

https://twitter.com/today4tmrrw/status/1183731178295189510

The Big Issue is well aware of the plight facing young people and those concerns are at the heart of the Future Generations Bill that Lord John Bird has introduced into the House of Lords this week.

The bill aims to put future generations at the heart of decision-making and is part of a wider campaign called Today for Tomorrow that is looking to lay the groundwork now for a more equal society for the generations who follow.

Images: Health Foundation/Andrew Saunders

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

Read All
Introduce inspections for temporary housing to stop children living in horror homes, Labour told
a child at the window of their home
Homelessness

Introduce inspections for temporary housing to stop children living in horror homes, Labour told

Tenants win more than £250,000 of rent back from billionaire landlord in five-year legal battle
Somerford Grove Renters in Hackney
Renting

Tenants win more than £250,000 of rent back from billionaire landlord in five-year legal battle

This is the devastating impact growing up in temporary accommodation has on children’s GCSE results
school children at desks
Education

This is the devastating impact growing up in temporary accommodation has on children’s GCSE results

Electric van to help charity deliver 50,000 meals to homeless people
Four people stand around an electric van
Homelessness

Electric van to help charity deliver 50,000 meals to homeless people

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue