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Couples put kids before weddings and house buying

Wednesday, 9 November 2011 9:16 AM

More than a quarter of adults say they have been forced to choose between having children, buying a house and getting married.

In new research from Churchill Home Insurance 28 per cent say they have had to put their dream of having it all on hold and prioritise which to do first.

Of those who had to choose, 43 per cent said they would have children first, 33 per cent said they would buy a house and just 22 per cent said they would get married.

The preference was strongest in the North East with more than half of those most likely to prioritise choosing to start a family first.

The economic uncertainty seems to be making couples think carefully. Across the UK, 21 per cent of 18-34 year olds have chosen to delay having children until they are more financially secure and the same proportion say they have put their wedding plans on hold.

Matt Owen, spokesperson for Churchill Home Insurance, said: "Financial uncertainty has meant a lot of people have had to make difficult decisions about their priorities in their home lives. It appears that having a big wedding is a now seen as a 'nice to have', but starting their own family is what's really important for many couples."

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