Adulthood. The bottom rung broke.
The first rung of adult life used to be automatic. It's broken now, and the whole country was standing on it.
THE GIST ON THE FIRST RUNG: "The Bottom Rung Broke"
What happened to the first rung of adult life?
In 1995 a 25 year old had a job, a flat, a partner and a plan. Today they've got flatmates, a group chat and mild rent anxiety. The bottom step has been broken, and we hoped no one would notice. Because the first rung wasn't for the young. It was for all of us.
What did adulthood used to look like?
It had a schedule: job at 22, home at 24, married at 25, kid at 26. Nothing about that was considered aspirational. It just was.
The whole country ran on it. Businesses hired knowing 25 year olds would turn up. Shops knew they'd be there to buy. The Treasury planned knowing they would pay tax and eventually retire.
What does it look like now?
Youth unemployment is at 16.2%, the highest in living memory. Graduate jobs are down a third in a single year. The average first time buyer is now 34. £50,000 of student debt is standard. First time mothers are 31 and marriage lands at 34.
Everything that used to land at 25 now lands at 35. Or 45. Or never.
Why does it matter to everyone?
No first jobs means no talent pipeline. No first time buyers means the housing chain freezes. No young workers means fewer people paying into pensions. The well oiled machine the country runs on is jamming.
Those locked out don't stay quiet. They vote weirdly, they leave, they break the social contract and they stop showing up. That doesn't just hold up the young. It holds up everyone. What have we got to lose?
Is the old adult timetable gone for good?
Your take. One tap, then see how everyone else voted.
Quick answers
What has changed since 1995?
A 25 year old then had a job, a flat, a partner and a plan. Now every step of that schedule costs more and lands later.
What figures does Huw give?
Youth unemployment at 16.2%, graduate jobs down a third in a year, an average first time buyer age of 34 and £50,000 of student debt as standard.
Why does it affect everyone?
Without first jobs and first homes there is no talent pipeline, a frozen housing chain and fewer workers paying into pensions.
See you on the next one.
What should the next one be? Suggest a topic for Huw to explain
The conversation
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