youthmoney

Inflation affects older people most. That’s the conventional wisdom. I’m not convinced.

Travel costs play a great part in young people’s lives. Many report having to pack in education or training courses because they cannot afford public transport. Meanwhile, the over-60s travel free off-peak on buses and some trains thanks to a massive state subsidy.

Learning to drive is costing more and more. From tomorrow, theory tests have increased from £28.50 to £30.00. That’s an increase of just over 5 per cent. The practical test jumps from £48.50 to £56.50. That’s a 16.5 per cent increase – on the part of the test that most people take two to three times before passing.

uSwitch.com – a price comparison company – has been looking at the total costs of learning to drive. From provisional licence (£45) to passing the test, young men can expect to pay over £1,069. Young women, who take an average of 20 lessons more, can expect a bill of £1,605. Download the press release, You have to be an earner to be a learner.

What’s more, young people now get less for their money. My standard licence acquired years ago lets me drive certain minibuses and vehicles towing caravans or trailers, for instance, that are excluded from young people’s expensively acquired licence today. Less is more, as they say.