Where young people are growing up in the UK affects their opportunities and life chances.
New research shows that around 3.8 million people in the UK experienced destitution in 2022, including one million children, nearly triple the number of children affected in 2017 (Destitution in the UK, JRF, 2023). Destitution means going without essentials like food, heating or hygiene, and its impact on physical and mental health, as well as future prospects, is severe. This hardship is not evenly spread. It is heavily concentrated in areas such as London, the North West and North East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands and parts of Scotland. These regions face deep-rooted economic disadvantage, and for the young people growing up there, place can significantly shape the opportunities available to them.
At IntoUniversity, we are committed to addressing this inequality. IntoUniversity runs centres in eight of the ten areas with the highest levels of destitution in the UK (JRF, 2023), providing long-term local support that helps young people break cycles of disadvantage and build brighter futures. According to the Sutton Trusts Opportunity Index (2025), the top 20 constituencies for opportunity are all in London, and only eight out of the top 50 are outside the capital. Meanwhile, the North East and North West are overrepresented among the lowest ranked areas for opportunity, as are constituencies dominated by towns and semi-rural areas. This research demonstrates the stark regional disparity of opportunity for young people across the UK.
There has been a shameful increase in the level of destitution in the UK, with a growing number of people struggling to afford to meet their most basic physical needs to stay warm, dry, clean and fed. This has deep and profound impacts on health, mental health and people’s prospects; it also puts strain on already overstretched services. This study, the fourth in the Destitution in the UK series, reveals approximately 3.8 million people experienced destitution in 2022, including around one million children. This is almost two-and-a-half times the number of people in 2017 and nearly triple the number of children.
Read the report here
Those from Higher Socio-economic Backgrounds are more than twice as likely to be found in senior roles, compared with those from Lower Socio-economic Backgrounds. Among those in senior roles, 20% attended an independent school – more than three times the proportion of pupils in England at these schools. Not only are those from Higher Socio-economic Backgrounds much more likely to be in the most influential senior positions; they also progress into these roles much more quickly.
Read the report hereOur work is based upon sound public research into both the need for our work and the effectiveness of our approach. Find out more about the barriers young people are facing below.
The link between economic disadvantage and educational underachievement permeates every stage of a young person’s education. …
Young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods are significantly less likely to progress to university or any further education, employment or training than their more privileged peers.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access the benefits Higher Education can provide.
Early intervention is key in breaking down barriers to education and encouraging young people to think about their futures before their attitudes towards study become fixed.
