By Richard Rigby

Somewhere in the UK this morning, a young person is turning seventeen.

One of almost one million 16–24-year-olds waking up without a job, or any education or training to go to – a group so large it would form the UK’s third biggest city.

Born into the financial crisis, when they started school, the iPad didn’t exist, and Instagram wasn’t a thing. They were in Year 6 when the pandemic hit. Their SATs were cancelled. No shirt-signing or goodbyes. By the time schools closed again in early 2021, they were in Year 7. Lessons went online, friendships became distant, and all the usual milestones that help children develop the confidence and skills for later life vanished.

Standing on the edge of adulthood today, the phone in their pocket is full of headlines telling them that AI is coming for their job, before they’ve even had their first.

Behind the increasing number of young people out........

© LBC