Tag: Hillarys

BST clock change: Lost sleep costs average worker over £2,000 a year

New studies have revealed that Brits are getting just six hours and 27 minutes of shut–eye per night on average, with sleep remaining a clear issue for many in the UK.

Now, new research from Hillarys reveals Britain is spending an estimated £48 billion a year just to function while tired, as millions of workers pay daily to push through poor sleep. With 64% spending money each week to cope, and the average employee shelling out £6.23 a day (£2,274 a year), experts warn the nation’s chronic “sleep deficit” is now hitting wallets as hard as wellbeing.

As Sleep Awareness Month takes place in March, the survey highlights a growing reliance on caffeine, convenience food and other quick fixes – masking fatigue rather than fixing it, and with the clocks about to go forward one hour on March 29th, many could struggle with lack of sleep.

Key findings

  • 64% of UK workers spend money weekly to manage tiredness caused by poor sleep
  • Annual spend on coping with fatigue (£2,274) can account for up to 43% of a renter’s disposable income, showing the real financial impact of Britain’s sleep deficit
  • The average worker spends £6.23 per day, equivalent to £2,274 per year
  • Coffee and energy drinks are the most common coping methods, used by 32% of workers
  • Workers aged 35-44 spend the most, averaging £7.13 per day to stay alert

New research from Hillarys shows that Britain’s chronic sleep deficit is creating a major consumer burden, with the workforce spending an estimated £48 billion a year just to cope with tiredness. The survey of 2,001 UK employees found that nearly two-thirds of workers spend money each week on coffee, snacks, alcohol, supplements, or convenience food to function after insufficient sleep.

The average daily spend of £6.23 translates into £2,274 per worker annually. When compared with typical disposable income, the impact is striking: research from YBS* shows UK renters have just £440 per month left after bills and essentials, while homeowners have £872 per month.

Put another way, the typical worker’s annual spend on coping with tiredness represents around 43% of a renter’s disposable income and 22% of a homeowner’s, highlighting how chronic fatigue is hitting wallets as hard as wellbeing.

Who is paying the most?

Midlife adults aged 35-44 bear the highest cost of poor sleep, averaging £7.13 per day (~£2,603 per year) on coping mechanisms such as caffeine, snacks and convenience food. Younger workers aged 18-24 spend £6.35 per day (~£2,317 per year), while those aged 25-34 average £6.23 per day (~£2,274 per year). Workers aged 55 and over spend the least at £4.47 per day (~£1,631 per year).

High-pressure sectors such as finance and IT report even greater expenditure, with some workers spending up to £3,100 per year just to stay alert during the working day.

Britain’s top coping behaviours

  • Coffee and energy drinks – 32%
  • Sugary snacks – 18%
  • Takeaway or convenience food – 17%
  • Alcohol – 16%
  • Supplements or sleep aids – 14%

Sleep deprivation is no longer just a health issue – it has become a consumer economy. Workers routinely spend money on short-term stimulants rather than addressing the root cause, creating a cycle of fatigue and expenditure that compounds across generations and sectors. Younger workers rely heavily on caffeine to get through the day, while older workers invest more in supplements or aids.

Tom Coleman, sleep expert at Hillarys, comments: “Paying to stay awake is only masking a much bigger problem.

“Chronic sleep deficit changes how our bodies regulate energy, stress and focus, and over time it can make fatigue feel normal – which is why midlife workers are spending thousands just to keep going.

“Fatigue also impairs decision-making, so people are more likely to reach for quick fixes like coffee, snacks, energy drinks or takeaways, even when they’re costly or not the healthiest choice.

“The solution isn’t more stimulants – it’s reshaping daily habits to reduce sleep debt: scheduling regular bedtimes, building natural tiredness through daytime activity, and managing stress early in the day rather than in the evening.

“Organisations can help by recognising the hidden costs of fatigue and supporting healthier work-life patterns. Addressing sleep now is an investment that pays back in alertness, better decisions, and real money saved on coping mechanisms.”

Source:

*https://www.ybs.co.uk/w/renters-have-half-the-disposable-income-of-homeowners 

Please find the full survey responses here.

£8.2m taxpayer bill for Edinburgh mould crisis revealed in FOI as complaints soar

A recent survey has revealed that one-third of Scottish social housing tenants lack confidence that their landlord will fix damp and mould, with thousands of complaints being made in recent years. 

Between 2021 and 2022, there were at least 14,451 complaints made to local authorities in Scotland, a 19 per cent increase on the year before.

Now, new Freedom of Information (FOI) data sourced by the home experts at Hillarys has revealed that the City of Edinburgh Council has spent more than £8.2 million tackling damp and mould in homes since 2024. The findings reveal that mould and damp complaints in the capital soared by +52% between 2022 (1,215) and 2024 (1,849), as residents report nearly five cases a day.

And while new regulation is set to be introduced from October, enforcing fixed timeframes for social landlords to investigate and start prevention works to address damp and mould, the experts at Hillarys have shared advice on how households can tackle the problem at home while many tenants are still waiting for repairs to be carried out.

Edinburgh Council’s spending on damp and mould in homes

Month20242025Grand Total
January148,000314,000462,000
February244,000352,000596,000
March252,000353,000605,000
April360,000254,000614,000
May291,000436,000727,000
June343,000423,000766,000
July343,000274,000617,000
August313,000367,000680,000
September514,000410,000924,000
October310,000395,000705,000
November589,000301,000890,000
December393,000264,000657,000
Total4,100,0004,143,000£8,243,000

Hillarys Freedom of Information (FOI) request has uncovered that the City of Edinburgh Council has spent £8,243,000 tackling mould and damp across homes in the capital between 2024 and 2025, or £4.1m per year on average.

Edinburgh residents make 143 complaints a month about mould and damp in the capital’s housing stock

In 2022, the council responded to 1,215 reports of damp and mould, soaring by +52% to 1,849 in 2024 and 1,591 in 2025.3 Overall, the council recorded 3,440 cases between 2024 and 2025, equivalent to 143 reports per month or nearly 5 complaints each day.

Edinburgh Council currently reports an average resolution time of 42 calendar days, or six weeks, from the date damp or mould is reported to the completion of treatment work. This is significantly higher than the framework that will be enforced in the autumn, where significant damp and mould must be investigated within 10 working days and made safe within five.

Why are Scottish homes more prone to damp and mould?

Nearly one in ten homes has some incidence of damp or mould in Scotland (9-10%),  compared to 4-5% of homes in England, indicating that while England has a higher total number of homes with damp, the percentage of households affected in Scotland is higher.5,6

One in ten Scottish households is impacted by damp or mould

Households in Scotland are particularly affected due to a combination of cold, wet weather, older buildings and the high cost of heating, which limits proper ventilation. In fact, a recent analysis of EPC data by Hillarys found that the ten most expensive regions to heat nationwide are all in Scotland.

Households in the Highland region pay £1,902 per year on average for heating, with the region found to have the fourth-highest proportion of homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or lower (63.42).

Victoria Robinson, product expert at Hillarys, has shared how households can tackle the problem at home and when to seek professional advice: “Proper household maintenance is incredibly important for preventing and treating mould.

“With good ventilation from opening windows and using extractor fans where possible, you can reduce the risk of mould and dampness. If you spot mould in your home, the first step is to carefully clean the affected areas by using detergents, white vinegar or mould removers and eliminating dampness at the source.

“Cleaning your own home is important and cost-effective, but sometimes it is not enough to fix mould problems. If mould is present in large areas, normally more than 1m2,  or you find recurring mould patches, musty odours or structural damage, it is time to call in a professional or escalate with your landlord before further damage to your health and home occurs.”

 https://www.hillarys.co.uk/blinds-range/. 

Arctic Air Prompts Advice For Cutting Bills and Keeping Warm

Recent news states that amber cold health alerts from the UKHSA for the whole of England will be in place until 12:00 on 6 January, just as the Ofgem energy price cap has increased, meaning many could be struggling to keep their homes suitably warm during this particularly cold period.

More than 2 million UK households already plan not to turn their heating on at all this winter due to cost-of-living concerns, highlighting the ongoing financial strain many are facing when it comes to their winter bills.

Now, research from the experts at Hillarys reveals a stark postcode divide in the cost of heating across the nation, with detached homes being the most expensive to heat.

And while location plays a role, Lisa Cooper, Head of Product at Hillarys, says the way homes are used — from smart routines and soft furnishings to heat-trapping tricks — can significantly reduce bills this winter whilst keeping homes warm.

Small changes households can make in January

Building FormProperty TypeAverage heatingcost per year (£)Median heatingcost per year (£)
1.DetachedHouse1,9741,417
2.DetachedMaisonette1,9211,366
3.DetachedBungalow1,7521,503
4.DetachedPark home1,4171,141
5.Semi-DetachedHouse1,3761,133

In detached homes, small warmth-saving habits go a lot further

In the UK, the majority live in houses (78%), which are the least energy-efficient and most expensive property types to heat. This is because detached properties are exposed on all sides and lose heat faster, meaning detached houses in particular stand to benefit most from simple, warmth-retaining changes over the festive period.

Lisa Cooper, Head of Product at Hillarys, has shared several easy tips which households can do ahead of January to keep warm and bills low, potentially saving up to £815:

  1. Submit a manual meter reading and potentially save hundreds

“If you don’t have a smart meter, make sure to submit a reading before or on Thursday, the 1st of January, to ensure your bill accurately reflects your energy usage at the old rate. The majority of suppliers have a dedicated app or web form where you can submit readings, but be sure to give yourself plenty of time to familiarise yourself with the exact process for your supplier ahead of the new year.

This will prevent your supplier from estimating your usage at the new, higher rate and stops you from being potentially overcharged. While there’s no specific, universal amount you’ll save from this step, as it depends entirely on your personal usage, avoiding a potentially inflated bill can save your household anywhere from a few pounds to hundreds of pounds.”

  1. Bleed radiators and save as much as £450 in the winter

“Bleeding a radiator means releasing this trapped air from your central heating system to improve its efficiency, allowing hot water to circulate properly and heat your home evenly. This can save you around £2.26 per week per radiator in energy savings during the colder months, which is roughly £36 to £45 saved per radiator over four months.

In a typical household with 8-10 radiators, those savings can translate to as much as £450 saved on your energy bill over the winter.”

  1. Thermal blinds could save you up to £240 per year

“Throughout the day, aim to keep curtains and blinds closed, as thick or lined curtains can reduce heat loss significantly.  The key is using them smartly: open south-facing curtains for warmth from the sun, then close them at sunset to trap heat, forming an insulating barrier. Heavier fabrics and layered window dressings can help rooms hold onto warmth for longer, particularly in older properties.

A longer-term solution to maintaining heat inside is installing thermal blinds, such as Duette® blinds, which have a unique honeycomb structure. 

Independent research at the University of Salford’s Energy House Labs has confirmed that Duette honeycomb blinds are highly effective at improving home energy efficiency by reducing heat loss through windows by up to 55%.

Honeycomb blinds have also been found to reduce whole-home energy use by around 4-17%, which, when applied to typical UK heating bills, could amount to potential annual savings of roughly £30 to £240 depending on the size of your home, insulation and usage.6”

  1. Save up to £125 with DIY draught excluders

“Draught excluders are a great option, which are long, filled fabric tubes placed at the bottom of doors to prevent cold air from chilling the home. It’s estimated that draught-proofing windows and doors can save you up to £35 per year. 

They can be purchased in most home furnishings stores, but to keep costs low ahead of January, they can also be made from items dotted around the home (and make for a fun crafty activity with the family!); by using rolled up towels or filling old jeans or curtains with heavy filling like rice, beans, or fabric scraps and sewing up the ends.”

Hillarys _ The Most Expensive Homes to HeatDownload

https://www.hillarys.co.uk/curtains/