Regarding Polly Toynbee’s article (Young people want to work: now there may be jobs for them, 17 March), as a young person, I believe that the government must rebuild trust in its support, or young people will continue to be held back. I am now working, but I know what it’s like to leave university and face unemployment: constant rejection, confusion and anxiety about what comes next. It is scary. But what Polly describes isn’t unusual; it’s the reality for many, and repeated rejections knock your confidence.
Support on offer has struggled to keep up with the growing challenges that young people face. The issue runs deeper than “lingering stigma” – it’s embedded in the system. The constant threat of losing your benefits if you fail to meet job search requirements undermines trust and engagement.
