Pocket money alone (UK average £8.20) is not enough to pay for the lifestyle demanded by today's children and they are turning to part-time jobs to supplement their pocket money.

Nearly a third (29%) of young people aged seven to 16 have a part-time job to supplement their weekly income, compared to only 25% in 2005. This figure is much higher for 12 to 16 year olds, 34% compared with 25% of seven to 11 year olds.

London earners are income winners – This year's income winners are children from London, who earn twice as much as children in the West Midlands (£16.75) from part-time working (£39.15) and have overtaken children in the North West (£37.67) as the highest earners.

Children in London were also this year's pocket money winners, receiving an average of £11.71 per week, well above the UK average of £8.20. Children in the East of England also come out on top when it comes to earnings, having seen a 220% increase in their earnings levels, from £8.82 in 2005 to £28.18 per week in 2006.

Boys earn more than girls - Reversing the findings of last year's survey, boys now earn more than girls. Boys now earn £26.60 per week, a 9% increase on their £24.46 earnings in 2005, whereas girls earn £23.86 compared to their £25.52 earnings in 2005, a 7% decrease. This discrepancy in gender earnings overcomes the difference in weekly income as girls receive more weekly pocket money than boys, £8.66 compared to £7.72.

The amount earned varies with age and gender – Seven to 11 year olds earn £9.58, a small increase on last year's earnings of £9.44, whereas 12 to 16 year olds have decreased their earnings from £31.28 in 2005 to £30.72. Girls aged seven to 11 earn more than boys of the same age, £10.32 compared to £8.78 per week, but older boys actually earn more than older girls. Boys aged 12 to 16 earn £31.47 per week, slightly higher than girls of the same age who earn £29.65.

More boys than girls have part-time jobs - Slightly more boys (31%) than girls (28%) have part-time jobs and children aged 12 to 16 are more likely (34%) to have one than those aged seven to 11 (25%.)

The weekend is the most popular time to have a part time job - 48% of children with part-time jobs work on Saturday, 30% on Sunday and 36% work in the evening. One in five (20%) work in the school holidays.

A paper round is the most common job - Paper rounds are the most common job (25%) for young children to have. However, the popularity of the paper round is decreasing from its high of 35% in 2004. The second most popular job for all was working in a shop (22%.)

The choice of job varies with age – Washing cars is the most prevalent job amongst seven to 11 year olds (24%) and a paper round is still the top choice for 12 to 16 year olds (28%), especially amongst boys (31%) compared to girls (19%.) Baby sitting is also more favourable amongst girls (23%) of any age, compared to boys (10%.)

Ten hours work a week is the average amount - 83% of the respondents who have a part-time job work less than ten hours per week.

Peter Jackson, managing director of banking and savings at Halifax, said: "It is encouraging to see that children are getting into the working habit at such an early age, with the intention of squirreling their money away, or saving up to buy particular items."