A single organisation is needed to deal with issues affecting young people, according to a report published on Monday.

In a poll for the Prince's Trust and the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, 81 per cent of young people said they would support the establishment of an organisation to help them with their problems.

In contrast, only a fifth would be satisfied with an "office hours" service, with 52 per cent seeking 24-hour support.

Almost half of those questioned believed there was a lack of things for young people to do. This view was particularly prevalent among 14-17-year-olds.

Among prisoners and ex-offenders surveyed, 41 per cent believed there were insufficient services in their local communities to deal with drug, alcohol and substance abuse.

Those leaving care were twice as likely as other disadvantaged groups to support calls for a specific organisation to help with money and debts.

"The one in five disadvantaged young people who would not turn to anyone for help and support represents the most socially excluded margins in society," said Leslie Morphy, director of programmes and policy at the Prince's Trust.

"This group must be the first priority for youth services to reach.

"Without developing more accessible advice services, appropriate intervention and better partnership agreements, we will continue to experience on of the world's highest levels of youth suicide, teenage pregnancy and drug, alcohol and substance misuse."