The Autumn Budget prompted widespread public debate. Many asked what the measures would mean for the UK’s economic outlook. At Blueprint for All, our starting point is a focused question informed by our research:

How will the Autumn Budget affect young people from underrepresented and disadvantaged communities? 

The Budget does not address all challenges raised by participants in our Life Chances 2025 study. No single fiscal statement could. However, several measures directly address the priorities highlighted by young people. These priorities have remained consistent across both the 2021 and 2025 waves of the research.

Young people in our study report four persistent challenges:

• financial pressures that affect education and daily life
• barriers to entering good work
• uncertainty in higher education and alternatives
• concerns about mental health, confidence and belonging

The 2025 findings show that many of these pressures have intensified. This is especially true for young people from ethnically diverse and lower-income backgrounds.

Education Costs, Apprenticeships and Access to Practical Routes

Young people value education. Yet, many struggle with rising study costs, long working hours, and the difficulty of managing competing responsibilities. These financial pressures often make it harder for young people from lower-income backgrounds to remain in higher education. They can also affect their confidence in completing their studies.

Young people also want credible alternatives to university. Apprenticeships, technical training and practical routes that lead directly to skilled employment remain a clear priority.

Several Budget measures align with these needs.

• Fully funded apprenticeships for under-25-year-olds in smaller businesses remove cost barriers for employers and expand access to paid practical training.
• Flexible apprenticeship units support young people who need learning pathways that accommodate work, caring responsibilities or financial constraints.

These changes support key themes in our Life Chances 2025 report. The report calls for accessible, respected non-university routes into employment.

Youth Employment Barriers and What the Budget Changes

Finding good work is a dominant theme in the Life Chances research. Young people frequently describe the job market as highly competitive, difficult to enter and often unfair. They highlight specific structural barriers:

• unpaid internships and unpaid work experience
• closed professional networks
• unclear or inconsistent hiring processes

These elements make early careers feel out of reach for many, particularly for those without existing social capital.

The Budget introduces a Youth Employment Guarantee, providing a structured first step into the labour market. This is especially important for young people who have spent extended periods searching for work. A paid placement or training programme offers the opportunity to build skills, demonstrate capability, and gain confidence. This closely reflects their own recommendations for fairer entry routes.

Cost of Living Pressures and Financial Support for Young People

Financial stability remains a top concern in the 2025 findings. Young people report increasing pressure from rising rents and insecure work. They also face the added responsibility of supporting or contributing to family budgets. These pressures restrict educational choices, employment opportunities and overall well-being.

Several Budget decisions address the cost-of-living challenges identified in our research.

• The removal of the two-child limit in Universal Credit and benefits increases will help many households achieve greater financial stability.
• The increase in the National Living Wage is significant for young people who balance work with study or early career development.

These changes do not remove all financial pressures. However, they contribute to the stability that young people consistently say they need to move forward.

Young People’s Mental Health and Access to Support Services

Mental health and well-being feature strongly in the Life Chances 2025 report. Many young people describe low confidence, stress and difficulties accessing timely support. These experiences are especially common among young people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds.

Some young people report that support services feel slow, confusing or unwelcoming when they reach out. This contributes to lower engagement and unmet needs.

We recognise that the Autumn Budget is not a dedicated mental health strategy. Yet, the investment in neighbourhood health centres and efforts to reduce waiting times are encouraging. They also align with key findings from our research. Participants consistently describe the need for joined-up services that link education, employment and wellbeing.

What Young People Need Next: Evidence from Life Chances 2025

Young people who took part in the Life Chances 2025 study are clear about their aspirations. They want stability, fair opportunities and systems that recognise their potential.

The Autumn Budget does not address every concern raised in the research. However, several measures align with young people’s priorities. These include expanded paid learning pathways, and improved early-employment opportunities. They also cover stronger family financial support, and better access to health services.

At Blueprint for All, we will continue to ensure that young people’s voices influence national conversations. The insights from Life Chances 2025 guide us in turning commitments into meaningful change that young people can see and feel. 

We never forget that Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.