A new report published today by Policy Exchange, ‘A Portrait of Modern Britain: Youth – Repairing the Intergenerational Contract’ carries out in-depth, exclusive polling of young people (aged 18 – 30) examining their attitudes to work, public services, social issues and the future.

This new polling shows that nearly 6 in 10 (59%) young people cited housing as the biggest barrier to young people getting ahead – followed by high taxes (40%), a difficult job market (39%) and student loans (29%).

Potential options for repairing the intergenerational contract and supporting young people suggested in the report include:

• A major drive to build new houses, including more flexible planning laws and trebling the New Homes Bonus.
• Support an additional 100,000 apprenticeships for young people by providing a £3,000 subsidy to employers to take on 16-24 year old apprentices – alongside an additional £1 billion a year to support an additional 100,00 places a year in further education colleges
• Replace the ‘free childcare’ entitlements with a system of flexible vouchers, that parents can use to support nurseries, childminders or extended family providing care.