Benefits myths busted: Young people do want to work

Many young people will be all too familiar with the lazy tropes and stereotypes that come with claiming benefits - and they can even put some off applying for help in the first place.

Perhaps the most common and reductive one is the idea that they simply don’t want to work and prefer to live off benefits - but it’s simply not true.

Nearly a million 16 to 24-year-olds aren’t currently in education, employment or training.

That’s one in eight young people.

But crucially, more than eight in ten (84%) young people in this position want to find a job, education or training.

And as a landmark review by former health secretary Alan Milburn has stressed, they’re trying really hard to make this happen.

Young people face barriers to work

The review notes that the jobs market has “raised entry thresholds while shrinking entry-level opportunities”.

And with employers demanding experience for entry level jobs, many aren’t even acknowledging young people’s job applications.

In fact, some young people described their applications “disappearing into a void”, having interviews followed by silence, and never getting feedback on whether they had a chance and how they could improve.

So many 16 to 24-year-olds simply can’t get their foot in the door, and find the experience of looking for a job demoralising and depressing.

And as a consequence, they often have no alternative but to rely on benefits.

“Many young people reported spending hours each day on online platforms, some keeping spreadsheets to track roles, deadlines and responses,” the report said.

“These are not the actions of a generation that has opted out. 

“They are the responses of a generation that is trying, repeatedly, and failing to gain entry.”

 “The aspiration is there. 

“The opportunity is not.”

Many employers believe stereotypes about young people

The report went on to note that many employers buy into the myths about young people not wanting to work.

Figures showed that nearly one in four employers view them as lazy and workshy, and one in ten have rejected them for a job solely because of their age.

Mr Milburn warned that these stereotypes “create a negative feedback loop”, narrowing opportunity and leaving young people disengaged.

“Disengagement is cited as proof that the prejudice was justified,” the report said.

“They are not passive. 

“They are exhausted.”

Government reviewing personal independence payment system

The government is already looking at reforming the personal independence payment system and giving claimants who are able to work more of an incentive to find a job.

But it’s clear that overhauling the welfare system is only one way to support people on benefits into employment.

Employers must be willing to invest in people and take a chance on young people with limited experience, as well as those who suffer from conditions like anxiety and depression.

If those who are willing and able to work can’t even get a foot on the first rung of the ladder, the cycle will continue, the myths will endure and young people’s stake in society will diminish.

And if that happens, we all lose out.