'Generational Groundhog Day' Looms as Unemployment and Housing Top Young People's Concerns

Young people in the UK are most worried about unemployment and housing, according to charity Citizens Advice.

The organisation, which analysed 1.3 million problems experienced by 480,000 people who walked through bureaux doors between April and June, found that the top issue for teenagers was Job Seekers Allowance.

The study also found that clients in their 20s were most worried about housing benefit.

"There is a real risk of a generational groundhog day," said Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice.

"People face different challenges at different stages of their lives. Young people are bearing the brunt of a chronic housing shortage and households are increasingly struggling to make ends meet.

"Politicians also need to be looking at these problems and finding ways that they can break down barriers when people can't tackle issues themselves, like making sure people get free medical evidence as part of Employment Support Allowance applications and appeals."

The research also revealed that one in seven clients were unable to solve their problems due to issues beyond their control.

Citizens Advice said flawed systems, irresponsible employers and difficulties accessing legal redress are some of the main barriers preventing people putting an end to their problems.

The study also found that housing issues were the third biggest problem facing Citizens Advice clients overall, with more than 100,000 people receiving assistance from bureaux during the three-month period.

Issues with repairs and maintenance in rented homes have risen 10% since the same period last year, according to the charity.

More tenants of all ages from private rented sector, housing association and local authority housing all came to the bureaux for help.

In particular, Citizens Advice said it helped with 6,000 problems with poorly maintained properties between April and June 2013.