People taking up a second job to make ends meet

As it becomes more difficult for adults to make ends meet in the UK, many are looking for ways to supplement their income.

One way of doing this is to take on a second job and new research from Direct Line Home Business Insurance has found three million people had one in the last six months in order to make a living, amounting to six per cent of the country.

Furthermore, 1.5 million (four per cent) have launched their own business to supplement the income received from their primary job.  

More than half of those who have an additional job (55 per cent) do so in the evenings after their normal working day is complete. Weekends (39 per cent) and after the family have gone to bed (26 per cent) are the next most popular working hours many take on.

Extra employment is not the only way for adults to boost their incomes. The research also found 36 per cent of people have started to look for innovative ways to make some extra money in the past six months.

Some 24 per cent of people are using the power of the internet to make money, potentially selling merchandise through online auction sites or taking on freelance design work.

Around 800,000 people have launched a business in their local area to earn extra income, including graphic design contracting from home, running small catering businesses for weddings and parties, photography or even small manufacturing companies. 

On average those who have taken on additional work to supplement their bank balance are bringing in almost £2,536 a year.  The research reveals over two million people are racking up at least 18 hours a week through second jobs or extra work, which is adding more stress to their lives.

Unfortunately, the current economic climate is leaving many people with little choice but to take on more work to pay for things, especially when they are lumbered with large amounts of debt.

As utility bills continue to rise alongside daily essentials such as food, individuals and families in the UK are struggling to find the finances to make ends meet every month. This naturally leads to people making cutbacks but there is only so much that can be cut.

On a regional basis, those in the south-east of England are most likely to have supplemented their primary income in the last six months, with 40 per cent of residents seeking to do so. Meanwhile, people in Scotland are the least likely (32 per cent) to have taken on extra work to boost their income alongside their regular employment.

Jazz Gakhal, head of Direct Line Home Business Insurance commented: "Many people are exploring creative avenues to make extra money.  People are looking to supplement their monthly income be it selling online, freelancing, or starting their own business.  

"Some will be building up their own companies at home while maintaining the security of a regular income before making the switch to being a full time business owner and manager."

By Amy White