1.3 Million UK Workers Take Second Jobs as AI and Rising Costs Squeeze Incomes
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 25
1.3 Million UK Workers Take Second Jobs as AI and Rising Costs Squeeze Incomes
2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 25
About 1.3 million people in the UK now hold second jobs, near 2025’s record 1.35 million, as workers patch together extra income to cope with living costs and unstable employment.
A 5% unemployment rate, vacancies at a five-year low and a gig economy nearing 5 million participants are pushing more people toward freelance, contract and casual work.
In Bristol, workers described 50-60 hour weeks, van living and constant money worries; one freelance designer said AI and tools like Canva have wiped out much of her traditional client demand.
For others, multiple jobs are also about flexibility as well as survival, with single parents and younger workers saying one employer no longer offers enough security or workable hours.
Beyond individual resilience, what systemic fixes can cure the UK's widespread worker burnout?
As AI erases entry-level jobs, what new pathways can young people take to launch a career?
With millions in 'survival mode', is the dream of a stable career and home ownership now dead?
The 2026 UK Workforce: Poly-Employment, AI Disruption, and the New Era of Worker Rights
Overview
By 2026, the UK labor market is experiencing a major shift towards poly-employment, with most working-age adults holding multiple jobs or combining traditional employment with self-employment. This trend is driven by economic pressures, such as the rising cost of living and inflation, as well as rapid changes in the job market due to artificial intelligence. Younger generations, especially Generation Z and millennials, are seeking diverse income sources and creative independence, while older adults are increasingly self-employed. The growth of gig work and flexible digital platforms is reshaping how people earn, making adaptability and new skills essential for future success.