There are lots of options open for funding both from the government and at university (
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearni ng/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance /index.htm). Also, he can work as well.
However, if he has already given up his place he can apply again next year, when he will be in a better position.
Also, Uni isn't everything. I have done four degrees (only the first at tax payers expense!) and it's still hard to get a job without experience. If you're smart, you'll go far whatever. Obviously some occupations do require a degree, but he could always use his year off to get a job and build contacts in the industry he wants to work in so he will earn money and increase the chances of getting valuable vacation work (as in get experience that will help him get a job when he graduates, it really helps, particularly if jobs are scarce).
Also, a year off may give him time to work out what he really wants to do and get things in order. If he stays estranged from his parents, then his loan prospects will be better next year. If not, then at least he wil have made up with them.
Try and encourage him to turn the year off into a valuable gap year and use the time to decide what will be the best next step for him for the future. It's really hard to know what you want to do and sometimes going to Uni just puts off the decision for a while! Or like me, you think you want to be a scientist, do all the degrees to make it your career then realise you can not face getting up in the morning to do that every day!
Hope it works out, at least he has you interested in him