UK Youth hopes to educate over finances

The charity said that it plans to distribute financial know-how tool kits to thousands of school pupils as part of a new scheme.

John Bateman, chief executive of UK Youth, told Channel 4’s News at Noon: “20 per cent of young people, 20-24, are carrying around £5,000 of personal debt.

“Debt can lead to all sorts of problems: hopelessness, despair and in some cases even suicide; so we are very, very keen to address that situation.”

Action came following UK Youth saying that it received details about the “serious” nature that money plays in the lives of young people.

Mr Bateman added that debt can have a large impact on communities, but this new scheme should help young people better manage their finances.