'Life meaningless for young adults'

A survey of 16 to 25-year-olds by the Prince's Trust found a "significant core" for whom life had little or no purpose, especially among those not in education, work or training.

The poll of over 2,000 showed that more than a quarter felt depressed and were less happy than when they were younger. Almost half said they were regularly stressed and many did not have anything to look forward to or someone they could talk to about their problems.

The trust, which aims to help vulnerable young people, said its study revealed an increasingly vulnerable generation. Chief executive Martina Milburn said: "Young people tell us that family is key to their happiness, yet too often we find they don't have this crucial support."

The survey, described as the first large scale study of its kind, showed that young people who had left school but did not have a job or a place on a training course, were twice as likely to feel that their life had no purpose.

Relationships with family and friends were found to be the key to levels of happiness, although health, money and work were also important.

Paul Brow, director of communications at the Prince's Trust, said the study showed there were thousands of young people who "desperately" needed support. "Often, young people who feel they have reached rock bottom don't know where to turn for help."

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "The Government wants to make this the best country in the world to grow up and the Children's Plan sets out how we will do this with more support for families, world class schools, and exciting things for young people to do outside school, and more places for children to play.

"We want all young people to play an active role in society and gain the skills they need to succeed beyond school. The number of 16-18 year olds in education or training is at its highest rate ever and since 1997 we have halved the number of young people leaving school with no qualifications, while the proportion gaining five good GCSEs has risen.

"This is evidence that we are successfully engaging some of our most vulnerable young people in learning."