More People Take on Multiple Jobs as Living Costs Rise

More than a million people in the UK are now working more than one job, a clear sign of how rising costs, job insecurity, and changes in different industries are affecting workers. Many are turning to the 'gig economy' – a system where people do short-term, freelance, or contract work instead of having a permanent job – to make ends meet or build a more secure future.

Billy-Jo Pierce, 29, from Bristol, is one example. She told BBC Business that she feels like she is "living in survival mode." Pierce works 50-60 hours a week, running her own business decorating teeth with cosmetic gems, while also taking shifts at receptions, working in bars, at festivals, and selling clothes online. She loves her work but admits that the "burn out is real." After finishing university with a good degree, she struggled to find work in her field of interior design. She took a full-time office job and built her business in the evenings, often working until 11 pm. Pierce felt she was "part of a massive rat race" and was working hard but not saving money or truly living. After losing her office job last year, she decided to focus on her business full-time. However, the high cost of living in Bristol and increasing material costs in the beauty industry, which BBC Business reports have risen by over 90% in ten years, made it hard to live on one income. To save money, Pierce now lives in a van and still takes on several jobs to support her business. She constantly worries about money and feels that working multiple jobs is now "quite the norm."

The Office for National Statistics data, cited by BBC Business, shows that around 1.3 million people in the UK currently have a second job. This is a small drop from a record high of 1.35 million in 2025. The UK unemployment rate has recently gone up to 5%, and the number of available jobs has fallen to its lowest point in five years. At the same time, the gig economy has grown significantly, with almost five million people now doing gig work, such as food delivery, freelance design, or cleaning. However, only about one-fifth of these people rely on gig work as their main income. When unemployment increases, more people often look for gig work. For many, especially younger workers, having just one employer no longer feels safe.

Industry changes are also a factor. Engy Elboreini, a freelance graphic designer from Bristol, told BBC Business that she has had to change her work because of new technology. She explained that tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and easy-to-use design programs mean her clients can now do much of the design work themselves. This has made the last two years her most difficult for business.

This trend is not only affecting younger workers. Many older people are also working longer. Mandy Kemp, 70, from Dover, still works three days a week as a practice manager for a financial adviser. She told BBC Business that her state pension alone would not cover her rent and living costs, especially as she supports her husband who cannot work due to health issues. Kemp enjoys her job but feels "very uncertain" about the future, saying she doesn't see how she would survive without working.

Dr. Andrea Barry from the Centre for Ageing Better, a not-for-profit group, noted that "more and more" people have been working longer over the past two decades. She explained that people are living longer, and the official age for receiving a state pension has increased. Dr. Barry added that women are often more affected because they are more likely to have had part-time jobs without pensions or have had caring duties that stopped them from working. While many older people want to work past the traditional retirement age, some have "no choice" but to continue working due to the cost of living, a lack of savings, and rising rents. Dr. Barry also pointed out that older workers contribute to the economy, especially if they have skills that employers need. Working can also be good for health and wellbeing, helping older workers stay active and avoid loneliness, though she admitted it could be harmful for others, describing some in their 60s and 70s as "very precarious and vulnerable."

However, not all older workers continue for financial reasons. Jackie Haynes, who will be 80 this year, loves her part-time job as an activity coordinator at a care home. She told BBC Business that she doesn't need the money because she has private pensions and owns her home. For her, working gives her purpose, helps her feel socially connected, and "keeps me young." Similarly, Mike Sandford, 78, from Redhill, is worried about the mental impact if he retires from his full-time job as a mechanical design engineer. He needs something to "stimulate the mind" and be creative, feeling that his hobbies alone would not be enough to keep him active and engaged.

Overall, the rise of the multi-job workforce shows a complex picture in the UK. While some choose to work longer for personal fulfillment, a significant number, both young and old, are taking on extra jobs out of necessity, highlighting ongoing challenges with affordability, job security, and the changing nature of work.