This work will explore and evaluate the economic factors such as the lack of regular and reliable public transport limiting access to employment and affordable housing that directly impact young people living in Shareshill, a rural community in the West Midlands, which are exacerbating the social exclusion they face caused by successive Governments, Conservative and New Labour, neo-liberal policies and austerity programs, these programs first  introduced under a Conservative Government led by Margaret Thatcher in 1979 have been the key economic principles both political parties have championed over the last four decades, as highlighted by Metcalf, S  (2017) writing in The Guardian stated “evidence for the spread of neoliberal policies since 1980”.

Neoliberal policies such as the privatization of education and public transport services and more recently the chronic lack of investment in affordable housing caused by 13 years of the current Government’s austerity programs have led to a shortage in employment opportunities and affordable housing in this rural community.

Furthermore, the lack of ability to access alternative education provision, the inability to access limited employment opportunities in the community and within the nearby City Centre of Wolverhampton through the limited public transport service are prime economic factors negatively impacting on young people leading to their greater social exclusion from mainstream society.

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