I think comparing generations against one another is very damaging.
My parents born in 1919/20 inherited a house (my GParents second property), from my maternal GrandParents! Who were not wealthy just frugal. Grew their own veg, made their own wine, no-one we knew had holidays or cars, just coach outings. My grandmas and aunties never worked, my grandad was a policeman. Houses were homes not investments.
My parents were by comparison, hard up, Dad was war disabled, my elder brothers left school at 15, but both ended up as directors of companies and had middle class lives. I left at 16 and went into banking with my O levels. I got a degree in my 30s, but I always worked in pensionable employment, although I stayed at home for 12 years bringing the children up.
By comparison two of our children often say they are short/ or finding it tight, but have two cars, mobile phones on contract, subscription TV. Etc Alcohol is a daily habit and meals out are seen as normal. Their children have days out every weekend, most of which cost. Our other child lives in London (enough said). We never had that lifestyle bringing up our children. I saved every week from my very first job, and although we are comfortable now we still are careful. E.g. I still have my hair done by my home hairdresser which I have had over 30 years, saves a fortune. I could go one but.....
I believe the government want to save paying anything to anybody, in terms of giving us back some of our taxes. When people talk of taxation, they forget VAT and so much more indirect taxes. I read recently that for every pound you spend over half goes in indirect taxation, VAT is the one everyone thinks about, but there are so many more on top. It's a pity governments didn't save and invest some of the money we paid for pensions etc. Some of our children are living in just the same way, spending all their income and borrowing too. Not much incentive currently to save but over time.....