THOUSANDS of young people in the North-East believe they will achieve “few or none” of their aims in life, a report says.

According to the study by The Prince’s Trust and RBS, youngsters from deprived homes are three times more likely to believe their career goals are unachievable compared to those from rich families.

Researchers found that almost one in six youngsters in the North-East believes that “people like them don’t succeed in life”.

More than one in ten think they will “end up in a deadend job”, while 13 per cent feel they will be on benefits for at least some of their lives.

Those growing up in poverty are much more likely to feel this way, the report said.

In the North-East, one in four children is growing up below the poverty line.

David Beavis, director for The Prince’s Trust in the North-East, said the aspiration gap between the region’s richest and poorest young people was creating a “youth underclass who tragically feel they have no future”.

He said: “We simply cannot ignore this inequality.

“Our research suggests that all young people tend to start life with similarly high aspirations.

“However, those from poorer homes are significantly more likely to lose confidence in their own abilities and ambitions as they approach adulthood.”

The study found that one in five respondents did not have anywhere quiet at home to complete homework, a fifth did not have a desk and more than one in ten had no access to a computer.

More than a quarter had few or no books in their home, while one in three were “rarely or never” read to by their parents.

The trust is calling on the public and private sectors to work with charities to help disadvantaged young people break out of poverty and turn their lives around through work or enterprise.

The charity is running a new free scheme for young people in the North-East this summer. The National Citizen Service course allows year 11 school leavers to learn skills, challenge themselves and improve their community.