11 Quick and Tested Ways to Earn Extra Money in the UK (2025 Guide)

Extra income can help you save for special purchases or give you more financial freedom. The UK offers numerous ways to earn money without taking on another full-time job. London's Uber drivers can earn £20.48 per hour. This adds up to £3,964 monthly when driving 45 hours each week. Private tutors earn between £15 and £40 hourly. Mystery shopping gigs pay anywhere from £4 to £40 per assignment.

We tested and researched 12 proven ways to earn extra money immediately. The opportunities are real and work well in 2025. You could rent out your spare room and keep the first £7,500 tax-free each year. Focus groups offer another option, paying up to £160 for a single session. These methods have helped many people boost their income successfully.

1. Become a PCO and Private Hire Driver

PCO (Public Carriage Office) driving provides a flexible way to boost your bank balance in 2025. You can work on your own schedule and earn a substantial income as a private hire driver.

PCO Driving: How To Get Started

Getting a Private Hire Driver Licence is your first step to becoming a PCO driver. Here are the key requirements:

You must be at least 21 years old and have held a full UK driving licence for at least 3 years
Complete an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, costing approximately £60
Pass a medical examination to DVLA Group 2 standards, costing around £80
Take a Topographical Skills Assessment at an accredited test centre
Complete an English Language test (unless you have qualifying exemptions like GCSEs)

The total cost to get a PCO licence ranges from £250 to £700. Your licence stays valid for 3 years before you need to renew it.

Drive Taxi Approved Cars: Best PCO Companies

Your car needs to meet specific standards for private hire work.

PCO-approved vehicles include makes like Toyota Prius, Kia e-Niro, MG5, Hyundai Ioniq, and Mercedes models. Many drivers choose hybrid or electric vehicles to cut fuel costs and avoid ULEZ charges.

The market's leading PCO companies include Addison Lee, which specialises in corporate clients and airport transfers. Veezu offers low commission rates with daily payment options. Uber remains the most popular platform despite its 25% commission rate, while Bolt charges only 15% commission.

GM Direct Hire and its fleet of 500+ PCO cars

GM Direct Hire has established itself as a leading PCO hire company in London since 2008. They provide:

A variety of hybrid and electric vehicles starting from £170 weekly
No credit checks and short-term contracts
Quick vehicle collection - as fast as 45 minutes
Customer service support throughout your driving experience

Their fleet has popular models like Kia e-Niro (£170/week), Toyota Corolla (£180/week), and VW ID 3 (£150/week) - all prices including insurance.

PCO and Uber Drivers' Earning Potentials

PCO driving can put good money in your pocket. Recent data shows:

The average PCO driver earns between £20,000 and £30,000 annually.
Hourly rates range from £9 to £15, with potential increases to £18-£25 during peak hours.
Full-time Uber drivers working 45 hours weekly can earn £675-£900, which equals £35,100-£46,800 annually.
The UK's median salary for PCO drivers sits at £24,944 per year, with most earnings falling between £20,000 and £31,000.
London drivers can earn more than other cities, with weekly earnings reaching £950-£1,350.

Read more expert insights on Uber Drivers' Earnings

Note that expenses like vehicle rental, fuel, maintenance, and insurance will affect your take-home pay. Electric vehicles can cut operating costs by a lot, running 100 miles for just £2-£10 compared to £13-£16 for conventional vehicles.

2. Become a Food Delivery Driver

The UK's food delivery boom gives anyone a great chance to make extra money. You can start earning quickly with minimal requirements and flexible hours. No extensive training or special qualifications needed.

Food Delivery Driver: How to Get Started

Starting out as a food delivery driver is pretty simple. Here's what you need:

A valid driver's licence for your chosen vehicle
Proof of your right to work in the UK
A smartphone with iOS 13.6/Android 6.0 or above
Food delivery insurance (your regular car insurance won't cover delivery work)
You must be at least 18 years old

The sign-up process is straightforward. Just download the company's app, create an account, upload your documents, and finish any online training. Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat are the popular platforms, each with its own requirements.

To name just one example, Deliveroo riders need a smartphone with NFC capability, while Uber Eats asks for specific documents based on your vehicle type.

Food Delivery Driver: Earnings Potential in the UK

Your earnings will vary by platform and location:

Deliveroo drivers earn around £10 per hour after fees
Just Eat drivers make approximately £9.70-£10.20 per hour
Uber Eats drivers typically earn between £7-£14 per hour

Major cities like London tend to pay better rates. Platforms offer "boost hours" or incentives during busy times that can increase your earnings by a lot. The average daily pay for UK delivery drivers is £199, with Exeter and London's drivers earning the highest at £210 per day.

Food Delivery Driver: Pros and Cons

Pros: Freedom to choose your hours is the biggest plus - you work when you want. It also helps that many platforms let you access your earnings right after deliveries. You can boost your income by working for several delivery companies at once.

Cons: The job has its challenges. Parking in busy areas eats up time and can be frustrating. The work can drain you mentally, especially as you navigate new areas or handle difficult customers. Safety risks from road accidents and possible theft are real concerns.

Food delivery driving is a solid way to earn extra money in the UK if you value working independently and setting your own schedule. But first, you should think over expenses like insurance, fuel, and vehicle maintenance that will affect what you take home.

3. Private Hire Driving UK

Image Source: TfL SERU

Private hire driving remains one of the most available ways to make extra money across the UK. Unlike regular taxis that people can flag down, private hire vehicles only work through pre-booked rides from licensed operators.

Private hire driving in the UK relies on vehicles that meet strict licensing and comfort standards

Your vehicle needs specific requirements to operate legally. It must have no more than 8 passenger seats. Local authorities regularly inspect these vehicles to make sure they are:

Roadworthy and mechanically sound
Clean, comfortable and safe for passengers
Properly insured for public or private taxi hire
Displaying the required licence discs or plates

On top of that, private hire vehicles mustn't look like licensed taxis (such as London's iconic black cabs). Most councils check vehicles up to three times a year. Owners must fix any problems within two months.

How to Get Started with Private Driving

You need to complete several key steps to begin a journey as a private hire driver. The basic requirements state you must be at least 21 years old and have held a full UK driving licence for at least three years. EU/EEA licence holders need to switch to a UK licence before they can apply.

You'll need to get an enhanced DBS certificate and sign up with the DBS Update Service for regular background checks. A medical exam that confirms you meet DVLA Group 2 standards is also required.

The next step involves submitting your full application to your local licensing authority with documents that prove your right to work in the UK.

TFL Requirements

Transport for London (TfL) has extra rules for those who want to earn money through private hire driving in the UK capital. You must pass a topographical skills assessment that shows you know how to plan routes using an A-Z guide.

You need to take an English language test unless you have qualifying educational certificates like GCSEs. Tfl also asks drivers to complete a safety, equality and regulatory understanding assessment.

The whole Tfl application process usually takes about four weeks, though times may vary. Your licence stays valid for three years, and you'll get renewal notices several weeks before it expires.

With good planning and attention to detail, private hire driving gives you a relaxed way to boost your income across the UK.

4. Rent Out a Spare Room or Driveway

Making money from your extra space ranks among the easiest ways to boost your income in the UK. You won't need much time or effort. The best news? The first £7,500 you earn from renting a room stays tax-free under the government's Rent a Room scheme.

Renting Out Space: Airbnb vs SpareRoom

These platforms give you different ways to make money from your spare room: Airbnb shines when it comes to short-term rentals. UK hosts who offered private rooms earned over £2,400 last year. The platform attracts travellers from around the world. A private room typically costs £55 per night across the UK, while London rates jump to £64. University cities lead the pack - Cambridge hosts earned £4,500 and Oxford hosts made £4,100.

SpareRoom suits longer-term arrangements better. Monthly rents on the platform rose 9% between early 2023 and 2024. Renters now pay £653 outside London and £995 in London. This option might work better if you want steady income instead of dealing with new guests.

Renting Out Space: How Much Can You Make?

Location shapes your earning potential. Scottish private room hosts topped the charts with £2,800 in 2022. England followed at £2,400, while Northern Ireland and Wales came in at £1,800 and £1,700 respectively.

Small towns pack some surprises. Crawley's private room hosts earned more than £2,600 yearly, beating popular spots like the Cotswolds and Isle of Wight.

Driveways near airports, train stations or sports venues can bring in good money with minimal work. This works great if you value your privacy, since you'll have less contact with guests thanwith room rentals.

5. Become a Mystery Shopper

Mystery shopping is a chance to earn extra money in the UK while evaluating businesses from a customer's point of view. This flexible side hustle fits around your existing commitments and doesn't need special qualifications.

Mystery Shopper: How It Works in the UK

Mystery shopping puts you in the shoes of a regular customer to assess service quality and compliance with standards. You'll receive an assignment to visit a business (or contact them online/by phone). Your task involves specific activities and submitting a detailed report about your experience.

Mystery Shopper: Best Agencies to Join

The UK mystery shopping scene has several trusted companies:

Market Force - Many assignments with modest pay (£3-£15 per task)
ESA Retail - Exciting tasks like casino visits and social media checks
BeMyEye - The UK's largest platform with over three million shoppers and a user-friendly app
Tern - Simple tasks start at £5 but complex assignments reach £40
Mystery Shopping Ltd - Complete UK coverage with 360,000+ shoppers

Legitimate agencies never ask for upfront payments. Stay away from companies that want you to pay to join.

Mystery Shopper: Typical Assignments and Pay

Talent.com reports that the average mystery shopper in the UK earns about £35,100 yearly. Most people use this as extra income rather than full-time work. New shoppers start at £24,128 yearly, and experienced professionals can earn up to £68,250.

Task payments range from £3-£50 based on complexity. On top of that, many jobs cover your purchase costs or include free products and services as part of your payment.

6. Offer Pet Sitting or Dog Walking Services

Image Source: Quotation Check

Animal lovers in the UK spend billions each year to care for their pets. This creates a perfect chance for pet lovers to make extra money by pet sitting and dog walking.

Pet Sitting: How to Get Started

Starting a pet sitting business needs very little money upfront. You'll need to pick the services you want to offer - home visits, overnight stays, or keeping pets at your place. Your local authority must give you a licence [link_1] if you plan to board pets at home. You'll also need a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification to meet Defra Animal Activity Licensing rules.

Here's what you need to look professional:

A service contract that shows your duties and prices
A website that displays your services
Sign up with Rover or Pawshake to find pet owners
A Criminal Record Check makes sense, especially if clients give you their keys

Right now, you can find sites like TrustedHousesitters that connect you with pet owners. You can look after their pets and get free accommodation - it's a great way to travel while pet sitting.

Dog Walking: Average Rates in the UK

Your location decides how much you can charge for dog walking. Most people charge £10-£15 per hour nationwide. London pays the most at £15-£20 per hour. Here's what you can charge in other areas:

South East: £12-£18 per hour
South West: £10-£15 per hour
Midlands: £9-£14 per hour
North/Scotland/Wales: £7-£13 per hour

Your earnings depend a lot on where you live. Cities pay more because more people want these services, and living costs are higher.

7. Join Focus Groups or Product Testing Panels

Focus groups are among the best-paying ways to earn extra money in the UK at the time you consider the hours involved. Market research companies pay well for your thoughts on products, services, and concepts.

Focus Groups: How to Find Paid Opportunities

Getting into legitimate focus groups starts with signing up at trusted agencies. Here's what you need to do:

Fill out personal information forms
Reply quickly to email invites
Answer screening questions for specific studies

These agencies let you participate once every six months. You should register with several companies to get more opportunities. Well-known UK agencies include Saros Research (they pay £40-£100 per session), Vision One, and FieldworkHub. London offers more face-to-face opportunities. However, about 70% of today's focus groups happen online through Zoom or Microsoft Teams. This makes them available to people across the country.

Focus Groups: Earnings and Time Commitment

The money you make from focus groups changes based on how long they take and what they're about:

Regular focus groups pay between £40-£100 for 1-2 hours.
Specialised research with professionals like doctors or business leaders pays much more—usually £220-£350 per hour.
Studies that happen over multiple sessions offer the best money.
Some pay up to £700 for participating over several weeks.
You could make £1,000-£3,000 a year by joining different sessions.

Most sessions take 90-120 minutes. People who do this often suggest applying to lots of opportunities. The sort of thing I love is that only one in six applications gets accepted, so persistence pays off.

8. Take part in a Film or TV Show for Extra Cash

Image Source: Slick Casting

The entertainment industry's bright lights and excitement draw many UK residents who want to earn extra money. You don't need experience to get these behind-the-scenes opportunities in film and TV production.

TV Extra Work: Typical Pay and Perks

Production type determines payment rates. Film Artistes Association (FAA) rates for 2025 start at £107.19 simple daily rate plus £11.54 holiday pay for standard days. Special skills earn an extra £29.41, costume changes add £22.17, and speaking lines bring in £59.40 more.

The work offers more than just money. Extras get professional hair and makeup, access to restricted locations, and free meals on set. Watching filmmaking up close is a great way to get industry experience for those interested in the field.

9. Recycle or Trade in Old Electronics

Image Source: Zero Waste Scotland

Your old smartphone sitting in a drawer could be worth serious money. British homes usually have 30 unused electrical items, worth between £1,304 and £6,331. This hidden treasure presents a great opportunity to earn extra cash in the UK while reducing environmental damage.

Recycling Electronics: What Items Are Worth the Most?

Mobile phones bring the highest values:

iPhones: £75-£554 based on model and condition
Samsung Galaxy phones: £105-£375 for recent models
Laptops: £175-£400 for working devices
Tablets: £50-£649 with iPads getting premium prices

Smaller items like electric toothbrushes (£18-£105) and kettles (£15-£116) also have good resale value.

Recycling electronics helps you earn money and supports a circular economy while keeping harmful e-waste out of landfills.

10. Get Paid to Listen to Review Products

Image Source: Trustpilot

Product enthusiasts can earn extra money in the UK by sharing their opinions. The process is simple and requires minimal effort.

Product Reviews: Sites That Pay for Feedback

The UK has many platforms that pay people to test products and websites: UserTesting gives you around £7.94 for spending 20 minutes reviewing websites while sharing your experience. Clicks Research teams up with big names like Boots, M&S and The Body Shop to offer free products and cash-convertible points. Tesco Home Panels gives out free Tesco products and lets testers earn £10 vouchers after collecting 50 points.

Reviewing for Cash: How Much Can You Earn?

Each platform pays differently.

SliceThePie reviews bring in £0.01–£0.16 each, but most pay between £0.02–£0.05. This adds up to about £0.79–£1.59 per hour. You'll need some patience to reach the £7.94 minimum withdrawal amount.

Website testing pays better through platforms like UserTesting. Quick 5-minute tests earn £3.18, while detailed assessments can bring in £95.30. Live chats with companies pay £23.82–£95.30 based on how long they take.

Review work won't make you rich, but it's a flexible way to earn extra cash without needing special skills or big time commitments.

11. Use Cashback and Reward Apps

Cashback apps provide a passive way to earn extra money in the UK when you shop. You can get money back on purchases you'd make anyway.

Cashback Apps: Top Picks for UK Shoppers

TopCashback guides the market with over 6,000 retailers. Members earn an average of £345 annually. Your earnings can go straight to your bank account, PayPal, or turn into gift cards with bonus value.

Quidco has partnerships with more than 5,000 retailers. Members usually earn around £300 per year. The premium tier takes £1 of monthly cashback but rewards you with higher rates and better customer service.

Rakuten partners with about 400 retailers. The platform stands out by letting you convert cashback into Rakuten Points with 20% extra value – £1 cashback becomes £1.20 in points.

Cashback Apps: Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Cashback tracking isn't always perfect. You need a clear 'cookie trail' that shows you visited the retailer through the cashback site.

Better deals might exist elsewhere - don't let cashback cloud your judgement. A £300 insurance policy with £75 cashback isn't great value when the same cover costs £150 directly.

Patience is key with cashback apps. Your money can take weeks to appear and sometimes doesn't track at all.

Stick to well-known sites like TopCashback or Quidco to reduce these risks.

Comparison Table For Earning Extra Cash

Conclusion

Making extra money has become easier in 2025, with many flexible options across the UK. These 12 methods we've been learning about give real opportunities to boost your income, whatever your skills or schedule might be.

You can achieve financial independence in different ways. You might excel as a PCO driver and earn up to £30,000 a year. Or you could prefer the more relaxed option of renting out your spare room, which comes with a £7,500 tax-free allowance. Animal lovers can make money through dog walking and pet sitting. The sort of thing I love about mystery shopping is that you get paid while checking out local businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions on How To Earn Extra Cash in the UK

What are some quick ways to earn extra money in the UK? There are several options, including becoming a PCO driver, offering food delivery services, renting out a spare room, participating in focus groups, or doing mystery shopping. Each method has different requirements and earning potentials, so choose one that fits your skills and schedule. How much can I earn as a private hire driver in the UK? As a PCO or private hire driver, you can potentially earn between £20,000 and £31,000 annually. Earnings vary based on location, hours worked, and the platform you choose to work with. In London, for example, full-time Uber drivers working 45 hours weekly can earn up to £46,800 per year. Is it possible to make money by renting out my spare room? Yes, renting out a spare room can be a lucrative way to earn extra income. The UK government's Rent a Room scheme allows you to earn up to £7,500 tax-free annually from renting out furnished accommodation in your home. Average monthly rents range from £653 outside London to £995 in London. ** What are focus groups and how much can I earn from them?** Focus groups are market research sessions where you share opinions on products, services, or concepts. They typically pay £40-£100 for 90-120 minute sessions, with specialised topics offering even higher rates. While not a regular income source, participating in several sessions annually could potentially generate £1,000-£3,000.