Young people in theory have a world filled with opportunity and longer lives to enjoy it. But for too many these opportunities are out of reach. Educational attainment is increasingly central to life chances, but more dependent on family background here than in other countries. Rises in insecure work along with stalled pay risk further divides within and between generations. This report focuses on the challenge that the Commission on Education and Employment Opportunities for Young People (Youth Commission) seeks to tackle: how to ensure all young people have a fair chance in life. This first report (in a series of five) from the Youth Commission examines the evidence on opportunities for young people and how they vary across England. It shares the findings of new polling on the views of young people and older generations on the current picture and what would make a difference. [The Learning and Work Institute's Youth Commission will run for one year and is supported by Association of Colleges, Capital City Colleges Group, London SouthBank University, NOCN and Prospects.]