British children among unhappiest in Europe – as stars demand action

Stars including Stephen Fry and Delia Smith have demanded action with new polling showing British young people are among the least happy in Europe. The Back Young People campaign found eight in ten young people think the Government is not doing enough for their wellbeing, while one in three (33%) said they often or always feel lonely. Launching on Monday, the campaign aims to put young people at the heart of policy, with the Government urged to bring in six commitments to help the nation's youth.

The campaign asks for six guarantees for young people, and says a survey found 70% of parents would be more likely to elect a party committed to them. They are wellbeing being a measured goal in schools, life-skills being taught by professionally trained teachers, making mental health support and treatment readily available, AI regulated for children, doubling expenditure on youth services, and creating apprenticeships for all qualified young applicants.

The campaign estimates the gross cost of the package at just over £1 billion a year, but savings to the Exchequer from higher employment and lower social costs mean there would be no overall net cost to the taxpayer. Conducted by Savanta, the polling also showed more than half (57%) say they often feel bored or that there is nothing to do. One in five young people (20%) said there is no trusted adult outside their family they could talk to about their worries.

Almost half (43%) of young people said they have needed support for their mental health, but almost a third (32%) did not receive it. Only 23% were able to get help quickly or easily, while 17% tried and failed to obtain any support at all. Parents were equally concerned, with more than eight in ten (86%) saying the Government is not doing enough for young people's wellbeing, and 69% worried about the wellbeing of young people in Britain.

Four in ten parents (40%) are pessimistic about the future for young people, compared with 31% who are optimistic. The campaign is also supported by writer and broadcaster Alastair Campbell and former Civil Service head Lord Gus O’Donnell. Campaign chair economist Professor Lord Richard Layard said: “British children are among the least happy in Europe, and they have become less happy. This is a national crisis. Childhood wellbeing is the best predictor of wellbeing in adult life.

“Our six guarantees are practical, affordable and backed by evidence. They pay for themselves by keeping young people in education, shielding them from the benefits trap or, even worse, the criminal justice system.” Earlier this year a Programme for International Student Assessment of 15-year-olds found the UK ranked the lowest for overall life satisfaction compared to 28 other European countries. Alastair Campbell, Board member of the Campaign, Back Young People Now, said: "There has to be far greater understanding between generations.

Young people should respect the old, yes, but older generations need to respect the young too. They face problems and challenges we never had to and this has given rise to enormous inter- generational inequality which we must address." The Department for Education has been approached for comment.