Understanding Society has published its Insights report for 2026, which this year looks at evidence on children’s development and young people’s life chances.
Last year, the government announced its five missions, one of which was Break Down Barriers to Opportunity. The new Insights report sifts through the latest evidence on how children and young people are doing, and the factors influencing their life chances. The research provides insights on early years funding, regional inequalities, inheritances, poverty and to what extent education and welfare mitigates the effects of intergenerational poverty. It also considers how background can shape not just our chances of achieving what we wish for, but also the nature of what we wish for.
The final chapter sets out specific policies suggested by the evidence which could accelerate improvements in children’s and young people’s lives, such as:
- early childhood support, especially in deprived communities
- investment in extra-curricular activities
- extended and targeted free school meals
- more accessible pathways to training and qualifications• help getting onto the housing ladder and more affordable housing.
Raj Patel, Understanding Society’s Associate Director, Policy and Partnerships, says: “Our recommendations are far reaching and, in some cases, politically or operationally challenging. But the report makes a compelling case that we are a facing a major generational challenge with long-term consequences. Tackling inequality of opportunity, and significantly weakening the tie to destiny, is not simply a matter of knowing what works. We have to build an effective ‘social infrastructure’ across the stages of children’s development and growth, particularly in communities where such resources could make a bigger difference.”
