Time-poor Brits enjoy just 16 hours a week of ‘true’ leisure

Brits have just 16 hours of ‘true’ leisure time per week - equivalent to just over two hours a day, according to research issued as part of the ‘Abbey Lifestyle Report’.

This new report looks at leisure spending and working trends across the UK, and confirms that, despite this lack of spare time, Brits make the most of it, spending a total of £314.8 billion a year on leisure pursuits - around 25.6 per cent of the average UK adult’s income.

Scots have the least amount of leisure time, just 14 hours per week, and those in the North of England have the most - almost 18 hours. Leisure, which is defined as ‘time spent doing something you enjoy outside work’ - and including everything from socialising and excursions to relaxing at home with friends and family - costs us £8.11 per hour. But hard-pressed parents spend half as much again - £12.11 per hour - when engaged in leisure activities. The average weekly spend on leisure is £119.45, with parents spending the most (£143.07) and retired people spending the least (£56.39). (See the notes to editors for a full breakdown of leisure spending.)

Leisure hours may seem expensive but their value is deemed even greater: most people would have to be paid almost twice the amount they usually earn to give up one hour of their leisure time. When asked how much people would need to be paid per hour to work on their day off, the average response was £19.21 (this is almost twice the average hourly wage in the UK(2)). Over a quarter of parents with children under the age of 18 would need to be paid more than £20 an hour to give up their leisure time, with six per cent saying they would not work on their day off for ‘any amount of money.’

Sue Hayes of Abbey, commented: “Leisure time is expensive – 25 per cent of our money is spent on 10 per cent of our time. But time-poor Britons place a high value on leisure and we’re loath to give up the few leisure hours we have each week.

“With the value and cost of leisure at such a premium, people need to manage their finances well to increase their disposable income, and make the most of this precious time. Our branches have financial planners who can help people achieve their financial and lifestyle goals”

Interestingly, while most people will not sacrifice leisure time for paid work, 38 per cent - over 9.5 million Britons - have worked on their day off within the last year without extra pay.

People in the Midlands are the biggest leisure spenders, with an average weekly spend of £162.72. The Midlands is also the DIY capital of the UK, with Midlanders spending over four times the amount spent in Scotland on improving their homes. When it comes to socialising, most money is spent in the South East with the average person spending £30.08 in pubs and restaurants every week.