Welfare system is failing young people, warns YMCA chief

Denise Hatton has said that the current system is failing young people and wants the government to do more to support them.

Her comments come as the charity launches research into how young people living in YMCA’s sheltered accommodation view the welfare system.

The research – made up of a series of three reports – highlights complaints about the way claims are handled, how young claimants are treated and a lack of freely available information and support.

It also shows that the number of young people falling victim to benefit sanctions is rising, with 94 per cent of YMCAs reporting an increase.

Meanwhile, 86 per cent of young people who have been sanctioned said they were forced to go without essentials, including food and toiletries.

The research reveals that 51 per cent of respondents were unaware of reforms to the welfare system, despite the planned introduction of Universal Credit – a new single monthly payment replacing jobseeker’s allowance, working tax credit and other benefits – next month.

Hatton says the findings show the current welfare system is failing vulnerable young people and that the planned reforms won't address the problems they face.

She said: “The alarming lack of awareness of Universal Credit reforms amongst young people indicates a significant failing by the government to effectively communicate the reforms.

“Not only does this lack of awareness stop them from being able to prepare and respond to the reforms, it prevents them from raising issues with the current welfare system as well as their genuine concerns on important issues of implementation.”

YMCA England has published a series of online guides designed to help vulnerable young people gain a better understanding of the welfare system.