As ‘A’-level students receive their results across England, YouGov polling reveals that 48 percent of 18-24 year olds say it will be harder to get a job after the UK leaves the EU’s single market. Only 3 percent think it will be easier.
Commissioned by non-partisan campaign group Best for Britain, the data shows that across all ages two in five Brits believe leaving the single market and customs union will diminish employment prospects for the young. Only 10 percent think it will improve opportunities.
Read more about the results of the new poll here.
Meanwhile, 37 percent of 18-24s thought the change to the UK’s relationship with the EU was among the biggest concerns facing jobseekers today, nearly three times the number who thought jobs being replaced by technology would create the most substantial problems.
In July 2020, 537,700 people aged 16-24 claimed unemployment related benefits - an increase of 122%, or 296,000 claimants, since the beginning of lockdown. The Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme has seen 1.8 million 16-24 year olds placed on furlough.
Commenting, Best for Britain CEO Naomi Smith said
“Results day is usually a time of excitement and anticipation, but this year’s closure of schools and sixth form colleges – and the suspension of exams – has already turned today into one of deep uncertainty.
“Yet the government is making a bad situation for young people even worse by telling business that it must expect Britain to walk away from the trade talks with no deal. They’re creating huge additional uncertainty in the employment market, and an even more troubling picture for anyone seeking their first job.
“There is a risk of a perfect storm this autumn as the furlough scheme ends, recession hardens, and the trade talks collapse. Only a change in approach will reassure the thousands of young people who are rightly worried about their future today.”
About the Poll
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,608 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 7th - 8th August 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
More details on the results and the poll's data tables available here.