Negative attitudes are closing doors to jobs for young people, according to the youth charity Futureversity.

Schools are not giving them confidence or skills to succeed, while employers have a negative attitude towards them, it has found.

The charity has released findings from a survey which asked youngsters about barriers to jobs which found more than half said they can’t afford to go to university. Nearly nine-out-of-10 believe politicians don’t understand or want to help.

The poll of 1,000 aged 16 to 25 revealed as many as 64 per cent believe employers and businesses are negative towards them, with 60 per cent saying they feel doors are closed when looking for jobs.

“They’re disillusioned and worried about the future,” said Futureversity’s chief executive Sarah Davies.

“Many can’t afford to go to university and feel stigmatised by employers.

“This is a generation crying out for more help and support—yet they don’t believe politicians and employers are listening.”

Nearly two-out-of-five feel stressed about their future, the survey has found.

More than half worry that they will get stuck in jobs below their aspirations and goals.

Futureversity, which began as a pilot crime prevention programme in Tower Hamlets in 1995, offers free courses to help youths develop skills and self belief.

The charity is calling for the government to look again at what more can be done to get the 16 to 25-year-olds into jobs.

Futureversity’s co-founder and patron Rushanara Ali, the Bethnal Green & Bow MP, said: “This is not the lazy generation that many make out. They have to work harder and be more determined than ever because of the obstacles in their way.”

The survey coincided with last week’s Parliamentary Queen’s Speech debate on jobs and growth. It was carried out to show how tough life has become for youngsters trying to enter the workforce.