Why I'm building this
I'm Max, a 29-year-old building Backing Young Britain. The data on what's happening to my generation is all there in ONS releases, IFS reports and Commons Library briefings. It just isn't in one place. So I'm pulling it together.
Lined up, the story is hard to argue with. £53,000 of graduate debt, up from £9,000 twenty years ago. 140 applications now chase every graduate vacancy, up from 86 two years ago. A house-price-to-earnings ratio that has more than doubled since 2000. 3.6 million young adults living with their parents, over a million more than in 2005. One in five under-25s with a mental health condition. Three in four people leaving Britain are under 35.
Individually, each data point is a news story that we quickly move on from. Together, they explain why a generation feels the odds are stacked against them. The open letter is available to sign if you think the Government should be doing more for young people.
What this is, and what it isn't
Backing Young Britain started as a grassroots campaign built by one person, growing into a movement young people deserve. No funders, no board and no political endorsements. For transparency, I'm a Liberal Democrat member and a paper candidate in Champion Hill this May. This isn't a Lib Dem campaign. It isn't funded, endorsed or coordinated with any party. The campaign asks are mine, and I'd welcome support from every party, and none.
How you can help
Whether you're signing the letter, reporting the story, hiring young people or representing them in politics, here's how to plug in.
- Young Britons: Sign the open letter and share the campaign with your friends, family and networks.
- Journalists and Producers: Everything here is sourced and the data is linked. I can share national and local media packs with charts, underlying data and draft copy. Please get in touch to collaborate.
- Employers: If you employ or train young people, this campaign is a natural fit. I'm beginning conversations with employers about something bigger: a public commitment to protect and grow graduate schemes, apprenticeships and entry-level roles, at a moment when those opportunities are under pressure. If your organisation would back that, or wants to talk about what it could look like, please get in touch.
- MPs, Councillors and Political Staff: Enter your postcode to generate a local picture for your area. For speeches, written questions, local press and social posts, get in touch and I'll send a tailored pack (constituency-level numbers, ready-to-use charts and graphics, source links).
Join us in Backing Young Britain, and help build the country the next generation deserves.