More than half of graduates from the past 10 years have not been able to buy their own home. Daily Telegraph

Just 44% of them are on the property ladder, according to research published yesterday by Scottish Widows.

Seven out of 10 graduates who have not yet bought a property said prices were the biggest barrier.

Among those who have bought their own place, 72% had to take out a joint mortgage partner, friend or relative.

But 69% admitted they would be unable to afford to buy out the other person if the arrangement turned sour.

The research found that 77% of female buyers who graduated in the past 10 years have bought a home with someone else, compared with 65% of men.