Dr Hilary Emery, Chief Executive of the National Children's Bureau (NCB), has used her address at the charity's annual general meeting to compel colleagues to combat the "bleak prospect" facing young people. Addressing NCB members, Dr Emery said listening to the needs of children and young people, and bolstering their grasp of key life skills, will be crucial in helping the most disadvantaged. She added that figures released last week showing youth unemployment at a record high, added to cuts to youth services, increases in university fees, the scrapping of the education maintenance allowance and the constant negative images of young people portrayed in the media, all conspire to portray a bleak prospect for our future generation.