A dear green place for parents as Glasgow tops UK pocket-money league

The survey of more than 3,000 parents found those in Glasgow topped the league table for generosity, giving their children 4.87 a week compared with a British average of 4.08.

In the top ten for high pocket money, Newcastle came second at 4.67 a week while Aberdeen came in eighth at 4.25 a week. However, like the majority of children, those north of the Border were often expected to do chores to earn or supplement their pocket money.

The top three chores carried out by children in Glasgow were: tidying their bedrooms (71 per cent); making their beds (42 per cent); and tidying the house (28 per cent).

Most of the children across Britain started getting pocket money once they reached four years old with gradual "increments" on an annual basis.

But cash was often docked for misdemeanours such as failing to do homework, fighting with friends, brothers and sisters, and general bad behaviour.

The majority of parents (seven out of ten) said the recession had not affected pocket-money rates.

Karl Elliott, marketing director of the Engage Mutual insurance company, said: "The majority of parents surveyed tell us that they watch what their children are spending their pocket money on.

"Encouragingly, in addition to providing regular pocket money, 74 per cent of parents have also set up a separate savings account for their children.''

Dr Mary Brown, lecturer in psychology at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, said: "What is important is that pocket money gives kids power and a degree of responsibility for their own decisions.

"We live in a society that has just about everything materially. But emotional intelligence, which is about being able to delay gratification to save for something they really desire, is what pocket money can help develop."

'Getting 5 a week would just make us a bit spoiled'

ROSA Robertson Smith, aged seven, looks forward to Fridays when she gets her pocket money after she finishes school.

Rosa, from Edinburgh, currently gets 1 a week, which she says is doubled every week if she is "really good".

"I normally get a pound coin and I keep it because I'm saving up for toys. I like Hair-ee Magno-z – they are little thin people with magnets for hands and feet – but they cost 5 for a packet of three, so it takes a long time to buy one."

However, Rosa, a pupil at Craiglockhart Primary, admits she doesn't always save her pocket money.

"Sometimes I spend it. I'll maybe get a Doctor Who magazine or chocolate bars, things like that."

Rosa also said that getting the extra 1 for good behaviour was a big incentive to help out at home. She said: "My mum and dad give me another 1 if I'm really, really helpful.

"I do things like tidying up my room and help clean other rooms which might have got a bit messy.

"I think doing tasks is a good idea."

Rosa, who first started getting pocket money about a year ago, said her friends got about the same amount.

"My best friend Isobel gets 1.30 and she is saving hers for Haire-e Magno-z too.

"If someone my age was to get more, something like 5 a week, that would be too much and it would make them a bit spoiled."

She added: "With what I get it takes a while to save for things. But it is good too, because it is just the right amount."