Overview

• More than a third of parents now expect to retire later, with an average delay of about five years and over a quarter anticipating up to a 10‑year extension to working life.
• Parents spend an average of £7,200 per year supporting university‑age children, with one in seven paying £10,000–£15,000 and nearly 10% exceeding £15,000, while 22% cover all costs.
• Nearly two‑thirds have dipped into savings and 29% have sold investments, with others cutting pension contributions, taking on credit card debt or remortgaging to meet expenses.
• Over half expect to keep helping after graduation due to a tougher entry‑level job market, where roles have fallen by 33%, alongside loan repayments starting at £25,000 and average debts near £53,000.
• Cost pressures include tuition rising to £9,535 this academic year and student rents growing about 7.5% annually since 2021, with maintenance loans often failing to cover housing and living costs.