Billions Spent on Cleaners and Gardeners

Homeowners around the UK are collectively splashing out billions every year on an extra pair of hands to help out round the house or garden, a new survey reveals.

Some 16.8 million Brits spend around £4.5 billion a year on home help, including cleaners and gardeners, according to Direct Line's 21st Century Living Index.

Two and a half million homeowners have taken on a cleaner at an average cost of £780 a year, while more than two million people spend an average of £468 a year on gardeners.

Londoners are the most likely to need an extra pair of hands with more than one in eight employing a cleaner. In contrast, those living in Lancaster tend to do their own cleaning with just two per cent paying someone else to tidy their home.

But despite the expense, more than four out of five of those surveyed believe that paying someone to help them with basic household maintenance is money well spent.

David Allan, commercial director for Direct Line Living for Less campaign, said: "Our index reveals that for many, convenience and time saving are priorities and they are willing to bear the cost for the luxury of third party home help.

"From cleaners and gardeners to ironing services we are increasingly searching for convenient services that also save us time."

The survey also found that the average household now costs £8,904 a year to run with mortgage and rent payments coming in at £4,296, utilities at £1,260 and council tax at £1,152 a year.