Young Brits saving not drinking

While ever more stories hit the news about the drinking, speeding, and Asbo-collecting lifestyles of British youngsters, elsewhere millions are saving and acting sensibly instead.

In fact, three 18 to 24-year-olds in four (74 per cent) are either saving or trying to save for the future, a new report from AA Car Insurance finds.

"Our findings defy the stereotypes and show that there’s an increasing segment of young people who are conscientious and sensible," said Janet Pell of AA Car Insurance.

As well as saving for the future, twice as many 18 to 24s as 35 to 44-year-olds are living within their means so they can save for the future, and only one in 17 is not concerned about saving or their future financial situation.

Young Britons are more than three times more likely to work hard to achieve a successful career than 35 to 44-year-olds and almost twice as ambitious as 25 to 34-year-olds.

But working hard does not mean playing hard for this generation of risk-averse youths, with 95 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds closely monitoring their health and a quarter saying they lead a very healthy, active lifestyle.

This is double the number of 45 to 54-year-olds, a third more than 35 to 44-year olds.