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BonusesLatest NewsPay & benefits

Fifth of UK workers boost income through paid hobbies

by Greg Pitcher 14 Dec 2007
by Greg Pitcher 14 Dec 2007

One in five UK workers boosts their income through a hobby, research has revealed – with many of them doing so on work time.

A survey by government-backed savings bank National Savings and Investments (NS&I) today shows that British workers make a collective £26.5bn every year through out-of-work activities.

Each member of the so-called ‘Play-dough population’ spends an average of 11 hours each week on their money-spinning interests.

Almost four in 10 admit to having used work time to pursue their hobby, while a fifth admit that their interest has affected personal relationships.

Hobby earners bring home an average £3,511 a year after tax through their pastimes, increasing their annual income by roughly a fifth.

Collecting and trading is the most profitable pastime, followed by IT, music, arts and crafts, and writing.

Almost a third of the Play-dough population invests the extra money in savings.

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Dax Harkins, senior savings strategist at NS&I, said: “British people are proving that saving money can be enjoyable when combined with a fun activity or hobby. It is great to see so many people using their initiative to earn some extra money which will help them create a nest egg for the future.

“Even a few pounds each week invested in long-term savings can benefit, particularly as we are seeing an increasing number of people who say they would not have enough in savings to cope in a financial emergency.”




Greg Pitcher

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