Purchasing a home or securing rental accommodation has become an increasingly unattainable objective for many young adults in the UK. The challenge intensifies dramatically for those without family financial backing, as growing numbers struggle to meet basic expenses including housing, food and utilities.
A BBC investigation this summer found that more than 40% of 25-year-olds now remain in their parents' homes. Many of these young people depend on informal family loans—often termed the "Bank of Mum and Dad"—to manage rent, bills and everyday costs. However, for those without such a safety net, the situation is far more precarious. Citizens Advice reports that increasing numbers cannot afford essential living expenses without parental support, leaving them vulnerable to debt and housing instability.
Recent data underscores the scale of the problem. According to a 2025 BBC analysis, nearly 98% of adults living with their parents could not afford the average first-time buyer home in their area, and around nine in 10 would struggle to cover mortgage or rent payments alongside council tax, utilities, insurance and maintenance costs. This financial barrier has only widened as the proportion of 25-year-olds living with parents has risen from 25% in the 1990s to 42% today.
Three young women shared their experiences of navigating adulthood without family financial support, revealing the distinct challenges faced by those without this crucial safety net.
How do care leavers fare compared to their peers?
Eleanor Bell, 23, from East Riding of Yorkshire, represents a particularly vulnerable group. Taken into care at age 10, she worked hard throughout her education and achieved a first-class degree from the University of Central Lancashire. Yet two years after graduating, employment remains elusive despite countless applications and several unsuccessful interviews.
Eleanor currently lives in her boyfriend's home outside Penistone in South Yorkshire, which helps reduce living costs, but the rural setting has complicated her job search as someone without a driving licence. She observes that many of her peers secured employment through family connections—a pathway unavailable to her.
"I know a lot of people who've got jobs because their mum or dad worked there before them."
When Eleanor encountered a BBC article documenting how many young people now live with their parents, she recognised a troubling gap in the narrative.
"I guess it makes me a bit sad. I'd like to live with my parents... but it made me think about the people like me, the people that don't have that, what are they doing then? Where are they? Who do they have to fall back on? It's like everyone in their 20s is having to tread water, but I haven't been given a buoyancy aid."
Government statistics reveal the stark disparity: 39% of care leavers aged 19 to 21 in England are not in education, employment or training, compared with around 13% of young people overall. According to a 2026 interim government report, only 22% of 27-year-old care leavers were employed in 2022 versus 57% of the wider population. The same report notes that care experienced 17- to 19-year-olds were more likely to be not in education, employment or training at 26%, compared with 11% for those without that risk factor, and by age 20 more than 40% are in that category.
For Eleanor, the absence of parental guidance extends beyond finances.
"You don't have someone to hold you and go, 'Look I've done the same thing, but don't worry' … that lack of preparation I think really does affect you. I don't quite know what to do, that's how I feel, just a bit lost. I'm just back to being in the dark without a torch kind of thing, that's what it feels like."
"I want to be independent and so when you get to this kind of thing it's like hitting a wall."
What financial pressures do young carers face?
Sam Barrett, 24, from Sunderland, experiences a different but equally challenging circumstance. She left full-time work in hospitality to care for her mother and is now studying health and social care part-time. Despite receiving Careers Allowance and Universal Credit, these payments fall short of covering her essential expenses.
"Not a lot is coming in, you only get so much being a carer. I don't buy any luxuries, I rarely do anything fun."
Her mother provides financial assistance when possible, but household resources are limited. Sam feels acutely aware of the advantages her peers enjoy through parental support.
"I've always felt it was a bit unfair growing up and seeing other people being at a massive advantage compared to me. Like a lot of parents would be like, 'here's money for driving lessons, and here's your car', and I can't just do that."
Sam expresses frustration at the inadequate compensation for young carers.
"I'm saving the government money by caring for my mam. The government aren't doing anything to help you, they're basically saying just get into debt."
How quickly can debt spiral without family support?
Ezgi Polat, 23, from Ramsey in Cambridgeshire, illustrates how rapidly financial crisis can develop. When she lost her job 12 months ago, her family lacked the resources to help, and she quickly accumulated arrears on rent and bills.
A Citizens Advice survey of more than 5,500 people found that 36% of adults reported being behind on at least one bill. Among those in their 20s, this figure climbs to 57%—a stark indicator of generational financial strain. Ezgi fell into this category when her income disappeared.
"My parents were struggling financially, just like I am, just like everyone else.... I got myself in arrears, a lot of debt because I just couldn't afford it - £300 was not covering any of my bills at that point."
Her circumstances deteriorated further when the local bus service was cancelled, making trips to the job centre increasingly difficult. Her benefits were subsequently cut. Receiving £360 monthly in Universal Credit against rent of £460 plus utility bills, council tax and living costs, her total debt spiralled to approximately £4,000.
After seeking assistance from Citizens Advice, her rent arrears were cleared by the council three months ago, and she negotiated repayment plans of £200 monthly with both her electricity and water suppliers. She has since secured warehouse employment and feels her situation is stabilising, though the journey has been arduous.
"A lot of older people feel like we're not ambitious enough, or we're not striving hard enough, but they'd be surprised at the amount of people out there so desperate for work and so desperate for support but with nowhere to turn to."
What do the statistics reveal about young people's employment prospects?
Government figures indicate that just under a million young people are currently not in employment, education or training. The employment crisis extends across multiple demographics, with the 2026 interim government report noting that there are about 81,770 looked-after children in England, up almost 18% since 2015.
Luke Young, head of policy at Citizens Advice, identifies a widening divide among young people.
"For young people right now the divide is growing bigger between those who do have financial support from families and other networks, and then those who don't. Young people who don't have that wider support network are being let down."
A government spokesperson stated:
"We are determined to restore hope and deliver opportunity for young people in every postcode. That's why we are investing £2.5 billion to create opportunities for young people to earn or learn through more apprenticeships, job grants, and training. And for those moving out for the first time, our Renters' Rights Act gives tenants more rights and protection from excessive increases."
What support is available for those struggling?
Citizens Advice advises that if Universal Credit housing costs do not cover rent, individuals may be able to apply to their local council for a Housing Payment, and additional help is available with food costs and other essentials. However, awareness of these schemes remains limited among those most in need.
From 30 September 2026, new care leaver local offer guidance for local authorities comes into effect. This guidance specifies that support can be used for essential household items but notably excludes rent, utility bills and day-to-day living costs—a significant limitation for young people like Eleanor, Sam and Ezgi who face precisely these expenses.
The experiences of these three young women underscore a systemic challenge: as housing costs rise and employment becomes increasingly competitive, the absence of family financial support creates a compounding disadvantage that government assistance alone has not yet adequately addressed.
