Original Broadcast: Modern Mindset
Today marks National Financial Awareness Day — and new research from the Money and Pensions Service suggests that millions of people across the UK are still struggling to keep up with their bills. The findings come from MoneyView, MaPS’ flagship annual survey of the nation’s finances, which shows wide variation across different parts of the UK. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss the findings, and where people can turn for help, is Victoria Copeland from the Money and Pensions Service.
Guests: Victoria Copeland
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Opportunities for young people seem increasingly sparse these days. In the post-COVID era of AI tools and austerity, a whole generation of young people find themselves less desired in the workforce than ever before. Despite high demand for apprenticeships, a shortage of entry-level vacancies is forcing them into university or unrelated work at best, and jobless and demoralised at worst. Here to discuss this increasingly desperate labour problem is Jonathan Bourne, Chief Executive Officer at Damar Training.
Guests: Jonathan Bourne
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Original Broadcast: Modern Mindset
Results day has been and gone, and for thousands of students, Clearing will now decide where they will spend the next few years. There's a growing argument that what matters most isn't just landing a place; it's landing one that leaves you genuinely ready for work and a successful future. My guest for this episode works at a university that builds a credit-bearing work placement into every single degree. Zoe Mason and Gemma Kay from the University of Wolverhampton are here to explain.
Guests: Zoe Mason,Gemma Kay
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Literacy rates for young people have improved significantly over the past fifteen years, following Tony Blair's call for 'Education, Education, Education'; with technical development now rising in importance, we must ensure that it holds onto the priority attached to literacy. Meanwhile Government departments, including HMRC, must ensure that their communications are accessible to all — this includes the initiative to write to young adults at 21 to tell them about their Child Trust Funds. Background music: 'Hovering Thoughts' by Spence.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Is the younger generation going to end up worse off than their parents? A new survey shows young people aged 18 to 29 say the events of 2026 have left them feeling particularly pessimistic about the future, and the number who believe they will be worse off than their parents has doubled in the past year. Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss whether the idea the next generation will have it better than previous ones is now bunkum. Elsewhere, what do you want to see less of on the high street? And how can they improve? A student loan interest cap kicks in later in the year — for some. Simon explains what it means. And do you use a dodgy fire stick for watching TV, films or football? We discuss whether the net is closing in on their illegal use.
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The UK is facing a growing skills shortage across defence, aviation and aerospace, just as demand is increasing. Employers warn the talent pipeline isn’t keeping pace, particularly in key STEM roles like engineering. Part of Lincoln College Group, the Air & Space Institute is a specialist further education provider focused on aviation, aerospace and space, offering hands-on training using facilities such as an Airbus A320neo, flight simulators and engineering workshops. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this is Julie Sullivan, the Vice Principal for Curriculum, Apprenticeships and Operations at Lincoln College Group, alongside Hazel Bunting, a student from the Air & Space Institute.
Guests: Julie Sullivan,Hazel Bunting
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Original Broadcast: Modern Mindset
Etholle Davies fills in for Daniel Clewlow & Rory McGowan. She speaks to Milly Dyer, a Student Success Manager at Le Wagon, and Ellis Whaley, a former student of Le Wagon. They discuss alternatives to university and the benefits that Le Wagon can provide as A Level students get their results. https://www.lewagon.com/
Guests: Milly Dyer,Ellis Whaley
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It's a long and lonely road for over 100,000 young people in care throughout the UK. Local Authorities and foster carers do everything possible to help with their journey through adolescence, but disrupted education and insecurity often leads up to a cliff-edge entry to adulthood at 18. In a stable family setting, parents provide resources and life skills, and help build the attitudinal transformation necessary for a forward-looking approach with which to start adult life. In its work for the DfE on behalf of young people in care, The Share Foundation helps to build that same strong foundation. Background music: 'Everything Has a Beginning' by Joel Cummins
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Author of 'Capitalism in the 21st Century' Thomas Piketty proposes an unconditional 'inheritance' endowment for all young people on reaching 25 years of age. Grants often appear to offer instant solutions to problems of inequality, but unless they are accompanied by conditional incentivised learning they will not achieve inter-generational rebalancing. In contrast, Muhammad Yunus has built accountability into his design for micro-finance, thereby enabling young people to look forward with a constructive approach towards achieving their potential in our fast-changing world. Attitudinal transformation takes time and commitment to take hold, but it does achieve results. Background music: 'World's Sunrise' by1 Jimena Contreras Image source: Wikipedia
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Original Broadcast: Modern Mindset
Rory McGowan is joined by Michael Follett, Founder & Director of OPAL and an International Play Consultant. They've found some new research that shows widespread support from the public for UK schools to change their policies and adopt an always active uniform. The Alliance, founded by Outdoor Play and Learning, the Youth Sport Trust, Play England, and the Centre for Young Lives claims traditional uniforms restrict movement, limit opportunities for active play, and don’t reflect the needs of modern learning environments. https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/
Guests: Michael Follett
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