Giving hope to young Londoners: The Young Person's Guarantee

Conference notes with concern:

1. The lack of promising prospects and opportunities for both current and future generations.

2. High youth unemployment rates in London, especially in certain boroughs, despite numerous job vacancies.

3. Declining numbers of apprenticeships starts among young people.

4. The geographical disparity in access to education providers, resulting in high transportation costs for many.

5. Challenges faced by underqualified young people in accessing employment, education, or training opportunities.

6. Young people in London are the poorest in the country, with child poverty levels a third higher than in England overall.

7. 48% of young people in London spend most of their free time in their bedrooms, 19% of London’s young people spend most of their free time alone, 39% of young people in London don’t have opportunities to meet new people or make friends and around 5 people in every classroom will have mental health conditions. 

8. In London just one in three are able to afford a home, compared to 1996 when 90% of young adults in the capital could.

Conference believes:

● Every young person deserves a hopeful future and equal opportunities for success, regardless of their background or circumstances.

● Ambitious proposals and actions are necessary to create a better future for the next generation.

● Politicians and decision-makers must be held accountable for prioritizing the welfare of young people.

● Better support is needed for young people transitioning into further education and improving social mobility beyond academic achievement.

● Addressing the housing crisis requires strong focused action.

● Youth clubs and extracurricular activities play a vital role in fostering social connections, skills development, and resilience among young people.

Conference calls for:

a. The Mayor of London and the Greater London Assembly to make the following specific commitments to improve the lives of young londoners:

i. Funding initiatives to provide fully free education including free school meals for all households earning below the London Living Wage and to make school journeys free during certain hours.

ii. Providing free or discounted access to attractions across London to anyone with a Zip Card and establishing youth clubs or extracurricular activities within close proximity to every home to combat social isolation.

iii. Creating a London Futures Hub to guarantee every young person receives a job, apprenticeship, traineeship, or post-16 education offer after secondary school.

iv. Reforming the London Youth Assembly to give young people a voice in city affairs and ensuring their concerns are addressed directly by the mayor, in addition redesigning the 18+ photocard to permit use as voter ID.

b. Ensuring these commitments apply to all children and young people born on or after January 2006.