Corbyn calls for national action on life skills
Sophie Eminson
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Young people should get more help to develop life skills and manage their emotions as part of efforts to improve their prospects, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said.
Speaking to CYP Now at the launch of report by Islington's Fair Futures Commission - established a year ago by Islington Council to come up with recommendations for improving support for young people - Corbyn said children's life chances in the UK are "seriously damaged".
The commission, which consulted with children, young people and the adults who work with them, has called for, among other things, for Islington Council to develop ways for children and young people to manage their feelings and emotions, and to open up school buildings as a resource for young people to use out of school hours.
It also wants learning about money, healthy relationships, the political system, physical and emotional health, cultural awareness and personal safety to be made statutory, and for every young person to have access to, and complete, at least 100 hours of work experience by the age of 16.
It also wants the range of support that children and young people living or studying in the borough can expect from birth to early adulthood to be set out in a guarantee.
Corbyn told CYP Now that in order to improve life chances, "there needs to be more nurseries, clean air and better provision of education".
"The policy proposals from Islington Fair Futures outlines what is needed from services for the borough [of Islington] and should be reflected nationally," he added.
Speaking on stage at the launch event he described the proposals as "very well thought out".
"One section [of the report] which really struck me was skills for life," he said.
"When I have spoken to young people in their 20s and 30s, they say that they would have had better chances had they understood basic skills, including setting up bank accounts and renting a home.
"The housing situation in the UK is deeply depressing. When children grow up in insecure, overcrowded and unfit accommodation, they're less likely to achieve in school."
Commission chair Jermain Jackman said: "Islington offers incredible opportunities for anyone lucky enough to grow up here, but too often children and young people are excluded from the big discussions that directly affect their lives.
"They have told us of the issues that can make it harder for them to really thrive here.
"We think our ideas - some big, some small, but all relevant and valuable - will help make this borough the very best place to grow up.
"For example, any 16-year-old with 100 hours' experience of the working world under their belt will be better prepared for the future - equipped with skills for life and a stronger candidate for that ideal first job or training opportunity.
"Young people also need a greater stake in Islington's places and spaces, having a say in major building projects and shared spaces in their neighbourhood - reviewing ‘no ball games' signage is just one part of that aim.
"And building essential life skills like managing money, emotions, and how to live independently is really important, too.
"I am proud of everyone who took the time to help us shape these recommendations, and together we can make these changes for the benefit of generations to come."
