We cannot let young people down by failing to give them essential building blocks for a healthy future

Our response to the Social Mobility Commission report

Responding to the Social Mobility Commission report, Policy Lead for the Health Foundation’s Young people’s future health inquiry Martina Kane said:

'It is concerning that the government has delivered on less than a quarter of its social mobility recommendations in the last seven years.

'Access to education, employment and health services are essential for young people’s longer-term health outcomes, and lack of progress in these policy areas, coupled with the impact that the current crisis is having on the future prospects for those aged 12–24, could seriously harm their future prospects. We need to see a whole-government approach that takes into account the interconnected nature of these issues, rather than a siloed approach which stifles progress and puts the future health of young people at risk.

'While the government works towards protecting the nation’s health today, the future health of young people – one of our nation’s greatest assets – must also remain a top priority. We cannot let down this 'lockdown generation' by failing to give them the building blocks that are essential for a healthy future.'