Work-related expenses

The average employee spends one pound in every eight earned on costs relating to their job, adding up to £1,843 a year.

Research for the Santander bank found that workers are collectively spending £67 billion a year on work-related expenses such as travel, food, childcare and clothing.

According to the findings, Londoners are the hardest hit, spending an average of £3,561 a year.

In comparison, West Midlands workers have the lowest work overheads in the UK at £1,668.

Commuting is the biggest expense costing on average £782 a year on public transport — and this figure was calculated before last month’s rise in rail fares.

Drivers are even harder hit with £829 spent on fuel and £65 on parking.