Survey Reveals UK Borrowing Trends from Family, Friends and Buy Now Pay Later Services in 2025
A 2025 survey of more than 4,000 UK adults by Fair4All Finance found that 26% had borrowed money from family and 15% from friends this year, while 25% had taken out a Buy Now Pay Later loan. Many people resorted to borrowing from family or friends after being rejected by traditional lenders such as banks. Borrowing from family or friends was more common among younger adults, households with children, and those on zero-hours contracts or in lower-paid work. The survey also revealed that about 25% of all UK households would not be able to cover a £500 emergency bill without borrowing. These findings highlight a reliance on informal lending within the UK economy as an alternative to formal credit. The Guardian is collecting readers' experiences of borrowing from family or friends and the impact on their finances and relationships.
