Question

Over to y By Trevor Lang
British children are getting less pocket money than
last year, writes Sandra Broom. On average, they are
getting 7 % less than last year. But a lot of children say
that they still have an easy life. "My parents usually give me
what I want when I want it," said one teenager, Mary Owens.
"I'm sure I have an easier life than my parents did when they
were children,” she added.
Last year 12-year-olds were getting an average of £5.30
a week, and this year they're getting an average of £3.50;
14-year-olds were getting £8.40 a week, and this year they're
getting £8, but 16-year-olds are getting more this year at £17.50
compared to £17.37 last year.
Eight out of ten children do extra jobs like washing up
and doing the shopping to earn their money. A lot of 12- and
14-year-olds do paper rounds while 16-year-olds work in shops on
Saturday and during the holidays. Some girls work as waitresses
and babysitters while boys often help with milk rounds.
12-year-olds spend most of their money on sweets, 14-year-
olds spend their money on clothes, and 16-year-olds spend their
money on going out.
But today's children save a lot of money, too. 12-year-olds
save half their pocket money, while 14- and 16-year-olds save at
least a third.
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