Exasperated parents are handing over thousands of pounds to encourage their grown-up children to leave the comforts of the home and take their first step onto the property ladder says a new report.

In a bid to cut the apron strings, resourceful parents are exploring a multitude of ways to fund their children’s independence. Close to one in five (18 per cent) have dipped into their child’s inheritance funds and almost a third (30 per cent) have given cash to their fortunate offspring.

A further one in five parents are willing to go into the red for their children and are considering taking out a personal loan to help them.

Research for the Skipton Building Society showed that parents were prepared to pay an average of £8,000 to help them flee the nest - £5,000 to help them on to the property ladder and a further £3,000 for their upkeep.

Not surprisingly, more than a third of adults still living at home are doing so because they like their home comforts too much, although a third (30 per cent) admit high property prices leave them with little other choice.

For some, the extent to which parents are helping out their kids is causing marital friction.

• Almost a third (31 per cent) of couples argue over whether they should stump up to help kids move out.
• A quarter of parents (23 per cent) would give money to their grown-up children without telling their partner.
• Mothers are a particularly soft touch - 27 per cent secretly dish out the dosh compared to just 14 per cent of dads.

However, financial pay-offs are not the only sacrifice parents are making. Old habits die hard and a whopping 88 per cent of kind-hearted mums are still washing their grown-up children’s clothes while 86 per cent make sure their loved ones come home to a hot meal.

Jennifer Holloway, head of media relations at Skipton Building Society, said:

“There are a number of reasons why so many grown-up children are still living at home, including the fact that the parents may want them to stay.”

“But a big issue is that rising house prices mean that many young people can't afford to leave the family home.”

Skipton Building Society will be hosting special ’Parents’ Evenings‘ in selected branches across the UK to offer practical and financial advice to mums and dads to help them encourage their grown up children onto the property ladder.