Top bosses earn more by noon on 6 Jan than average workers do all year  – here’s how to boost your income!

By lunchtime on 6 January, bosses of FTSE 100 companies had already pocketed more than the average British worker’s entire annual salary. 

Less than halfway through the third working day of 2025 and top bosses had already earned more than the £37,430 that the average full-time worker takes home annually. It happened even faster than last year, when execs surpassed the average worker’s yearly salary by 1pm on the third working day. 

The typical CEO's pay sits at a jaw-dropping £4.22 million, making their salary 113 times higher than the average employee.  

Why does this matter to you?  

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has raised concerns about the growing pay gap between top bosses and everyday workers. He’s calling on the government to “rein in boardroom greed,” saying: 

 “Every working person plays a part in producing Britain’s wealth. But while millions of low-paid workers are still feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, people at the top are taking more than their fair share.” 

Nowark added that while the government’s employment rights bill will help many workers by improving pay bargaining rights and job security, reforms are still needed to address the huge disparity in executive pay.  

He suggests that workers should have a seat at the table when it comes to decisions about executive salaries. 

What is the employment rights bill?  

The government has promised to improve worker’s rights by: 

• banning zero-hours contracts 

• ending fire and rehire tactics 

• giving basic rights from day one, including parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal 

• creating a ‘single enforcement body’ to enforce employment rights  

• making sure the minimum wage accounts for the cost of living 

• removing minimum wage age bands so all adults get the same minimum pay 

• giving workers a stronger voice through their trade unions 

While these changes are coming, there’s plenty you can do now to boost your income and take control of your financial future. 

Ways to maximise your income  

Take on a side hustle  

If you’re looking for a flexible way to increase your income, a side hustle might be the answer. Even with a full-time job, there’s plenty of ways to earn extra cash on the side. 

Here’s some ideas: 

• Dog sitting: take care of people’s pets while making some extra money. Walk dogs, board them, or pop by for a visit. 

• Delivery gigs: grab your bike or car and make some extra cash delivering food or packages. 

• Tutoring: got expertise in a subject? Whether it's guitar lessons or helping others learn a language, tutoring is a great way to earn some more money. 

• Upcycling: refurbish used items and sell them on platforms like eBay or Etsy. 

Make money from your space 

Got some spare space in your home? Here's how to make money off it: 

• Rent a room: if you’ve got a furnished room, consider renting it out. You can make up to £7,500 a year tax-free by renting to a lodger. 

• Rent your driveway: do you live near a train station, airport or sports stadium? Rent your driveway for extra cash. You can list your driveway space on websites such as JustPark. 

Check if you’re being paid the right wage  

Are you being paid what you deserve? Starting in April, the national living wage for those aged 21 and older will rise by 6.7%, from £11.44 an hour to £12.21.   

If you're aged 18 to 20, your national minimum wage will also rise, from £8.60 to £10 an hour.   

Apprentices will see the biggest pay bump, with hourly wages increasing from £6.40 to £7.55.  

Minimum wage calculator   

Use the government’s minimum wage calculator to find out if you're being paid the correct national minimum wage or national living wage.  

If you’re not getting paid fairly, it’s time to start a conversation with your employer. 

Use a salary checker  

Knowledge is power. A salary checker helps you see if you’re in-line with industry standards and also gives you leverage if you want to negotiate a pay rise.  

Use this free tool from Monster's parent Randstad.  

Budgeting to boost your income  

Creating a solid budget is one of the first steps in maximising your money.  

Here’s why budgeting helps: 

• See what money is coming in. 

• Understand your outgoings and spending habits.  

• Spot where you can spend less.  

Use our free budget planning tool for more accurate budgeting. Remember:  

• The more accurate your numbers, the clearer the picture of your financial health. Ensure that you track every single expense. 

• The longer the forecast, the better, as your income and spending will vary month-to-month. Consider the extra costs around holidays like Christmas and kids’ birthdays.  

• Before you begin, pull together your bank statements, wage slips, utility bills and any other relevant documents. This will give you a solid foundation to work from, helping you build a more accurate and realistic budget. 

Could you be missing out on benefits?  

If your income is squeezed, you might be able to get some financial relief from the government. You could be eligible for benefits if you’re:  

• facing redundancy or lost your job  

• on low income 

• need help with housing costs 

• having a baby or bringing up children 

• sick and unable to work or have a disability or a long-term health condition 

• a carer 

• an older person 

You can find out what benefits you can get here. Plus, find out how to make a claim and what to do it’s there’s a problem with your claim.  

Slash your bills and keep more cash in your pocket  

Energy support  

With the rising cost of energy, millions are struggling with their bills. But there’s help out there. You might be eligible for: 

• Energy supplier grants 

• British Gas Energy Trust 

• Household support fund 

• Fuel vouchers 

• Priority services register 

• Grants for home energy improvements 

• Warm home discount  

• Winter fuel payment  

There’s also plenty you can do to reduce your bills. From getting your boiler checked to swapping your oven for an air fryer, we’ve got 50 clever tips to help you slash your bills. 

Switch energy suppliers 

Switching to a different energy supplier or moving to a new tariff could save you money.  

The energy regulator Ofgem, advises using an accredited price comparison website to find and compare energy tariffs. They include:  

• Energylinx 

• The Energy Shop 

• Money Supermarket 

• My Utility Genius 

• Simply Switch  

• Switch Gas and Electric  

• Quotezone 

• Unravel It 

• Uswitch  

Slash your phone and broadband costs  

Are you overpaying for your phone and broadband?  Use a comparison site to see if you could move to a better deal.  

Your current provider might also have some better offers available, so give them a call too and see what they can do to keep you as a customer. They might match a competing offer. 

Receiving benefits? Ask about social tariffs 

If you receive benefits, ask your provider about social tariffs.  

Social tariffs are cheaper than regular packages and offer fast, unlimited broadband. You’ll also pay next-to-nothing for setup, if anything at all, but your provider will tell you before signing up. 

You can switch to a social tariff at any time for free and the price won’t increase mid-contract. If your provider doesn’t offer social tariffs, they might let you switch to one that does without paying a penalty. 

If you’re struggling with money, it might be time to see how we can support you. 

All our advice is free and impartial and we can: 

• give you a helping hand with your budget 

• see if you’re getting everything you’re entitled to 

• offer free debt advice online or over the phone 

• provide info about debt solutions (some are free, others have a fee)