A petition on the UK Parliament website is calling for a new £6,285 tax-free allowance for income from second jobs, which could benefit over one million households. The petition, created by Carl Henton, is addressed to the Labour Party government and closes on 8 December 2026.
Petition Thresholds
If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the government will respond to it. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
Why This Allowance Is Needed
The petition states: "About 1.26–1.35 million people in the UK work second jobs, often due to rising living costs. As the Personal Allowance is usually used by a main job, second-job income is taxed immediately, reducing extra earnings for workers trying to cover essential expenses."
It adds: "A dedicated £6,285 allowance for second jobs would support working people who are contributing more to the economy through additional employment. It could help key workers, part-time workers, carers, students, and low- to middle-income households keep more of what they earn."
Current Tax Rules
The standard Personal Allowance is £12,570 per tax year. If you earn more than this, you only pay tax on the amount above that threshold. The tax rate depends on your total income for the year. However, if you earn over £100,000, your Personal Allowance decreases by £1 for every £2 earned above that limit. Once your income exceeds £125,140, your allowance is reduced to zero.
The petition argues that introducing a separate allowance for second jobs would encourage employment, reduce financial pressure on households, and reward hard work without affecting the existing Personal Allowance for primary employment.
