"In response, Lord Watts added that young people “are not stupid”, explaining that if they assume they will “earn low incomes and there’s no future”, then youths will likely lower their aspirations as a result."

There's probably a lot more interesting info hiding behind that statement. If housing is massively unaffordable (as it in the UK), social mobility is rather low, why go out there and destroy yourself in low wage jobs?

Not saying there's no spoiled youth waiting for their lottery ticket that will never come, but there's a rational aspect to it as well.

I've heard something possibly relevant where I live.

Namely that if you want apprentices or interns, you need older apprentices/interns who will vouch for you — who will say you that don't treat the kids as shit. Too many people treat any low-paid junior badly.

Headline: Unemployed youths 'won't get out of bed for anything less than £40k': Lords told

Reality: The criteria that hiring portals use to silently trash applications is hidden inside black boxes but includes 1st Time Job Applicants, the most minor of criminal records and select postal codes.

So jobs paying under £40k is a problem causing unemployment, but the proposed plan to fix unemployment does not involve changing the pay? Why even bring that figure up?

getting smarter