Children pocket £1.5billion

Britain's children get more than £1.5billion a year in pocket money and other handouts, according to a report today.

Children aged seven to 10 are given almost £417 million a year from their parents and grandparents, while 11- to 14-year- o lds get about £1.1 billion. Older children - aged 15 and 16 - have a combined income of £1.6billion from pocket money and part-time jobs.

Eighty-three per cent of seven- to 10-year-olds say they get pocket money from their family, with the average ?3.10 a week.

They also receive ?140 a year in cash when they ask for it or as birthday money.

Eleven- to 14-year-olds get £7.30 a week pocket money plus £175 a year for other reasons.

Parents in Scotland and northern England are the most generous.