What is the fastest growing family type in the UK?
Family Solicitor, Carla Morphett takes us through the Office for National Statistics latest survey of trends in living arrangements within the UK.
The Office for National Statistics has published its latest survey of trends in living arrangements within the UK (which can be found here).
The survey covers a wide range of areas including families (with and without dependent children), people living alone and people in shared accommodation, categorised by size and type of household.
Some of the key points arising out of this recent survey are as follows:-
- The number of cohabiting couple families continues to grow faster than married couple and lone parent families, with an increase of 25.8% over the decade 2008-2018, making cohabiting couples the fastest growing family type in the UK.
- The number of same-sex couple families has grown by more than 50% since 2015, with more than four times as many same-sex married couple families in 2018 compared with 2015.
- Married and civil partner couple families were the most common family type in the UK in 2018, representing two-thirds of all families.
- There has been a rapid increase in the number of young adults living with their parents. One in four young adults (20 to 34 years of age) were living with their parents in 2018.
Sophie Saunders from the Population Statistics Division at the ONS comments: “the number of families and households in the UK has continued to rise in line with the growth of the UK population over the past decade. However, the ways that people live have been changing…”
The results from this survey highlight the need for the law to catch up with recent changes in the way that people live and their chosen family set-up – particularly in respect of cohabiting couples.
Resolution continues to campaign for change for cohabiting couples to provide them with greater protection. They stress in their Manifesto that ‘it is possible to live together with someone for decades and even to have children together and then simply walk away without taking any responsibility for a former partner’.
Furthermore, 2 in 3 cohabiting couples in the UK are unaware that there is no such thing as a ‘common law marriage’.
It is therefore vital that you seek advice at the earliest opportunity so you are fully informed as to what rights and protections the law provides depending on your family set-up and what steps you could take to further protect yourself and your family.
If you have any queries regarding any of the topics discussed in this article please contact the Family Team on 01603 610911.
Note: The content of this article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be taken in any specific circumstance.
Leathes Prior advises Complete Strategy on sale to Flint Global
Alex Saunders, Partner in Leathes Prior's Corporate Team, advised Complete Strategy on the sale of its business to Flint Global. The acquisition marks Flint Global's first acquisition and represents the first step in its M&A growth strategy.
.jpg)
Maternity Services in England: Recent Reports and What They Mean for Families
In a follow up to our recent article on maternity safety, Polly Langford, Partner in our Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team has written on the findings of the Ockenden Report and what this means for families.
Competing uses of farmland - what the new Land Use Framework means for your business
The Government has published the Land Use Framework – which DEFRA says is “a plan for delivering new homes, nature restoration, clean energy and food security." Rebecca Allen, Senior Associate in our Agriculture Team explains what this means and what to consider for your business.
Leathes Prior advises Complete Strategy on sale to Flint Global
Alex Saunders, Partner in Leathes Prior's Corporate Team, advised Complete Strategy on the sale of its business to Flint Global. The acquisition marks Flint Global's first acquisition and represents the first step in its M&A growth strategy.
Maternity Services in England: Recent Reports and What They Mean for Families
In a follow up to our recent article on maternity safety, Polly Langford, Partner in our Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team has written on the findings of the Ockenden Report and what this means for families.
Competing uses of farmland - what the new Land Use Framework means for your business
The Government has published the Land Use Framework – which DEFRA says is “a plan for delivering new homes, nature restoration, clean energy and food security." Rebecca Allen, Senior Associate in our Agriculture Team explains what this means and what to consider for your business.
Changes to qualifying period: Time to rethink probation periods?
From 1 January 2027, the qualifying period is reducing from two years to six months. But the reality is that the new law will apply to all employees who have already accumulated at least six months of continuous employment by this date. This means that now is the right time for employers to be reviewing their employment contracts and rethinking strategies on probationary periods.
Proposals for reform of cohabitation rights on the death of a cohabitating partner
Georgia Sartin, a Solicitor in our Property and Contentious Probate Team explores the government’s recent open consultation ‘a fairer end to relationships’ published on 5 June 2026, , in respect of the proposals for reform for cohabitants in the intestacy framework and 1975 Act claims.
%20cropped.jpg)
Who is accountable for maternity safety? The case for a maternity commissioner following the birth trauma inquiry.
The safety of maternity services in England has been under intense scrutiny in recent years, now, a national campaign has been launched for the appointment of a dedicated Maternity Commissioner.
What is the difference between a share sale and an asset sale?
When running a business, company founders and shareholders will inevitably, at one stage or another, want to consider potential succession options, the most prominent being an exit by way of trade sale. Hugo Persad, Trainee Solicitor in our Corporate Team provides an overview of what the difference is between a share sale and an asset sale.
UK GDPR Update: What the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 Means for Organisations
While several updates under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 came into force on 5 February 2026, the next key development for organisations is still to come. From 19 June 2026, organisations will be legally required to implement a formal complaint handling process for data protection matters. This is a significant shift, placing greater emphasis on resolving issues internally before they escalate to the regulator.
.jpg)
Selling a Probate Property: A Guide for Executors
Acting as an Executor can feel daunting, especially if there is a property which needs to be sold as part of the estate administration process. If you have been appointed as an Executor and you are unsure where to begin, here are some key things to consider.
%20website.jpg)
Leathes Prior's Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team Secure Settlement for Client
Kate Smith (Senior Associate) and Kimberley Nelson (Paralegal) were instructed in relation to a workplace personal injury claim, and successfully secured a five-figure settled for the client.
.jpg)
New Restrictions to Charitable Giving: What You Need to Know
Changes to UK tax law regarding charitable giving took effect from 6 April 2026. Following legislative amendments in the Finance Act 2025-26, the generous tax exemptions associated with charitable gifts - specifically Inheritance Tax (IHT) exemptions - will be restricted to gifts to UK-registered charities. Ejike Ndaiji, Partner in our Wills, Trusts, & Probate and Charities Team explains...
Employment Rights Act 2026: The New Trade Union Right Of Access - Will it matter?
The Government has now published its response to the “Make Work Pay: Trade Union Right of Access” consultation which means we are now one step closer to properly understanding what these new access rights really will be.
%20cropped.jpg)
-3.jpg)
