Report

Altered courses

This report from UK think tank the Sutton Trust explores the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis on young people in the UK.

The cost-of-living crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have had profound consequences on young people, with potential implications for their future life chances. To look at these consequences in-depth, this report analyses interviews with 22 young people from the COVID Social Mobility and Opportunities (COSMO) Study cohort in Winter 2023.

Participants were interviewed between the ages of 18 and 19, a key transition point between childhood and adulthood. Analysis finds that amongst those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, some were unable to follow their desired plans due to educational setbacks and poor grades resulting from a disrupted pandemic education. Others felt they had to go straight into a career to avoid the costs of university. The most significant effects were felt by those who had experienced care, family bereavements, who lacked additional support, or were unable to afford the educational opportunities they aspired to pursue.

This latest report is released as part of The Sutton’s Trust work with the COSMO Study, the largest study of its kind into the effects of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis on the life chances of a generation of young people.