State of a generation

About State of a generation

This event will mark the launch of a new report from IPPR's State of a Generation project; a landmark programme of research and policy development aimed at building true opportunity for young people.

'The Loneliest Generation: What it is like to grow up in England today'

We spoke to over 150 young people and analysed longitudinal data to understand what life is like today for young people in England.

Our findings confirm that the distress young people are experiencing today is real, and it is profound. We examined what it means to come of age in England in the shadow of a digital childhood, a pandemic, and the erosion of services and spaces that once helped them navigate the journey to adulthood. Our report sets out, in young people’s own words, their disconnection from themselves, each other, and society.

We’ve concluded that the solutions cannot be found in tweaks to youth policy, a new education initiative, or a few more professionals. What young people need is a radical new settlement that gives them hope in their future – and all of us confident in the future of our nation.

Read the report here. 

At this event will discuss the key findings from our research and hear from experts on how we can build a collective response to the challenges we have identified.

Our speakers include;

  • Sam Freedman, author, senior fellow at the Institute of Government, and chair of IPPR’s advisory board;
  • Sarah Smith MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department for Education and member of IPPR's advisory board
  • Polly Toynbee author and columnist at the Guardian
  • Avnee Morjaria, associate director for public services at IPPR
  • Ellie Harris, Principal research fellow and head of children and young people at IPPR 

For more information, please contact o.vaughan@ippr.org. 

The IPPR State of a Generation review is a programme of work designed to see the world through the eyes of young people and develop a holistic policy programme that responds to the challenges they face. The review is supported by McDonald's, Youth Futures Foundation and Big Change.

Related work

  1. Britain’s broken social contract: Young people have lost faith in their future

    Drawing on new evidence, this blog examines the decline in young people’s optimism about work, success and social mobility, and argues for a new deal to rebuild trust in Britain’s social contract.
  2. A front three quarter length view of a small group of university students walking together talking in the city on an autumn day in Newcastle, England

    A generation apart? Youth politics, alienation and democratic renewal in Britain

    Public debate about young people and politics is loud, contested – and largely wrong.

  3. “I feel quite unsettled and unsafe”: Young people, belonging, and the broken promise of childhood

    Young people in England feel less secure, supported and connected than a decade ago. Based on nearly 200 conversations, this blog explores why childhood feels more stressful and less joyful.