‘It’s soul-crushing’: young people battle bleak jobs market as youth unemployment rises

2026-02-17 - 19:23

Chair of UK government review says dramatic changes in labour market risks creating ‘a generation on the scrap heap’ On any given day, Poppy Blackman is engaged in the “soul-crushing” process of applying for a new job, and rarely ever hearing anything back. The 22-year-old has been unemployed since January 2025 and says she applies to an average of 50 roles a month, using one of four different CVs she has written for different types of jobs and sectors. Continue reading...