By Gabrielle Pickard Whitehead

The UK economy inched forward by just 0.1% in the three months to September, the latest ONS figures show. It’s a sluggish pace that will set nerves jangling in the Treasury ahead of the Autumn Budget.

At the same time, UK Finance reports 84,100 homeowner mortgages were in arrears of 2.5% or more in Q3 2025. Though slightly down on the previous quarter, the figure lays bare the financial strain gripping British households.

For younger generations, this is nothing new. They’ve been feeling the squeeze for years.

Adulthood used to start at 18. These days, it’s more like 38. First Millennials, now Gen Z - young people are struggling in ways their parents never did.

Unlike earlier generations, who could buy a home with a steady job and modest wage, today’s youth face stagnant pay, soaring living costs, and mounting debt. Even though they earn higher inflation-adjusted wages than their parents did at the same age, those gains........

© LBC