DofE CEO urges politicians to put young people’s needs “at the heart of the policy that affects them”

DofE CEO Ruth Marvel responds to The Prince’s Trust NatWest National Youth Index 2024, which has found that that young people’s happiness with work, education, qualifications and money is at its lowest since their polling began in 2009. She said:

“The disheartening findings in The Prince’s Trust National Youth Index lay out all too clearly the unprecedented challenges, uncertainties and anxieties that young people are experiencing in the UK.

“As we approach the next general election, it is crucial that all politicians listen to young people and put their needs at the heart of the policy that affects them – like investing in enrichment and youth work that helps build young people’s confidence and resilience and supports positive mental health.

“Through the DofE, we see the difference these opportunities make to young people’s lives every day, and they are key if the uncertainty and anxiety that young people feel is to be reduce in the future.”