Introduction

Austerity measures in the United Kingdom have re-shaped and diminished many of the domains of welfare that comprise the ‘youth welfare State’. The impact of prolonged austerity (since 2010) has continually impacted the efficacy and range of social policy responses in areas such as youth justice, youth work, welfare and support, housing, health and education. As a result, contemporary youth is experiencing generational social harm and a significant social ‘othering’ that is often manifest in the denial of a voice in the society they live in and can, in turn, result in new forms of social (in) justice. Moreover, these developments have been made worse by the COVID-19 epidemic which has further decreased living standards for all young people, prompting concerns about the marginalisation of young people from relevant social and political structures. Negative portrayals of young people framed around ‘irresponsibility’ and ‘risky behaviours’ contradict evidence that demonstrates the opposite. Rather, many young people seek to volunteer and support others whilst encountering significant forms of social harm. As a result, contemporary global youth are currently experiencing generational social harm(s) and social othering whilst often being denied a voice in the societies they live in. If truth be told, the youth of today are experiencing new forms of social injustice and, to add insult to injury, these developments have become worse as the COVID-19 epidemic has persistently decreased living standards for many young people around the world.

This chapter examines to what extent the youth welfare State has been pushed back, reflecting on emergent forms of social harm, ‘othering’ and marginalisation. It will reflect on some of the prolonged impact of COVID-19 and how we can support young people in the future through increased forms of social justice-based provision. It will include several case studies that exemplify how the youth welfare State has become smaller: focusing on social harms and the youth labour market. Specifically, these have been selected because they exemplify the significant problems that emerge when the youth welfare State is compromised through different forms of social harm (Dorling et al. 2008). Furthermore, the chapter will argue that new forms of injustice are emerging in light of recent retrenchment in the youth welfare State and recommend several social justice-framed solutions.