The cost of living crisis is affecting the whole of the UK, and Bedford is no exception.
Young people are particularly affected, with many struggling to find jobs and afford transport, hobbies and school essentials.
The increase in inflation and the decrease in jobs for under-18s make it harder for young people to earn money and enjoy their youth and free time.
“Young people feel that society is against them and their voices cannot be heard,” said Iqra, a 17-year-old student.
“Adults complain that teens don’t build relationships, but when teens try to socialise, they cannot afford it.”
“Unaffordable travel”
Many young people rely on public transport on a daily basis to attend school, colleges and clubs. One young person we spoke to said bus travel costs them £63 per month.
“It is not affordable,” they said.
“There aren’t that many opportunities to earn money — many places want people over the age of 18, and not everyone’s families can afford to pay for something like a bus pass either.”
Another young person told the Bedford Independent: “I think it’s affordable to a certain extent but not all families are able to provide £30 or more a week.”
The cost of public transport is a big issue for young people, causing financial stress and limiting their choices to study, work and socialise.
Both young people we spoke to agreed that the cost of public transport should be cheaper for students during weekdays.
The high cost of public transport is discouraging young people from using it and instead motivating them to obtain a driving license, which is more cost-effective in the long term.
However, the initial costs are very high. 17-year-old Alex has shared that he has spent £1,000 on driving lessons and tests.
He estimates spending a further £1,600 before his final test, and this amount of money can be very intimidating to young people.
Alex suggested that the government could fund the first 10 driving lessons of full-time students who don’t have the money to afford this.
Employment issues
In Bedford, many young people reported that they had difficulties finding a job. One student, Amy, said it took her eight months before finally getting an offer.
She believes young people struggle with employment due to the lack of experience, but can’t gain that experience to get a job.
Many businesses we spoke to in Bedford town centre, including Pandora, Arcadia Sweetshop and Real Coffee, said they were open to employing young people from the age of 16 to 19.
They all told us that in their experience, young people are very eager to work and successful candidates are open to learning and improving their skills.
They did highlight that lack of work experience and low confidence are issues among young people.
Their advice to improve an application included volunteering at charity shops to gain work experience, improving communication skills and gaining confidence.
Looking to the future
The future depends on the opportunities we give to young people.
The rising cost of transport and a challenging job market put financial pressure on the next generation, creating barriers that can make young people feel like the world is against them.
For society to succeed, we must all support the younger generation, understanding their struggles and creating opportunities for them to thrive.
