Introducing:
The
‘Play’ Gap

Make pocket money equal

When does the gender pay gap start, and why? Working with Professor Tim Jay, an educational psychologist at Loughborough University, we discovered that boys get 20% more pocket money every week, while products marketed at girls cost 5% more.

And it doesn’t stop there. Boys and girls earn – and learn – about pocket money in different ways too, which sets them up with different financial literacy skills.

An unequal start for children leads to an unequal future for us all. Let’s Make Pocket Money Equal.

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The true Play Gap revealed

What contributes to the gender pay gap? Turns out, it all starts in childhood.

Download the report

Two children holding purple teddy at cashier

The ABC of financial literacy

Professor Tim Jay suggests a simple three point step that helps parents get to grips with money talk.

Read the article

Didn’t catch Make Money Equal?

We’ve been campaigning since 2018, raising awareness about how women are portrayed with, and spoken to, about money.

Read our manifesto

Woman wearing floral headscarf scrolling through her phone

Advice hub:
How can you Make Pocket Money Equal?

Closing the Play Gap together

Professor Tim Jay looks at the impact of the gender pay gap on kids, why we’re campaigning and what you can do to help.

What does the ‘pink tax’ mean for our daughters?

Journalist Louise Burke looks at the impact of that extra 5% – and offers guidance on gender neutral shopping.

It all starts in the home: why the household economy matters

Parents should set an equal example – journalist Kate Carter examines her own efforts.

Mother and daughter filling in worksheet

Smirks, sweets and the family shop

How should you talk to kids about money? Journalist Kate Carter explores some conversation starters.

Two children holding teddy in front of cashier

How to develop your own confidence when talking to kids about money.

According to our report, men are less confident. Writer Cathy Reay offers tips.

Don’t keep daughters in the dark

Normalising lower pay for girls makes it more difficult for them to get pay rises in the future. Here’s how to help.

“With SEN kids, throw out traditional workbooks.”

Starling business customer, The Maths Mum, explains why a slow burn approach is key in SEN education.

How Starling parents approach pocket money.

Looking for ideas to steal? Head this way for expert tips, from the minimum wage rule to digital tools.

Creating family-wide pocket money strategies

Advice on how – and why – parents should talk to grandparents and the wider family about giving money.

Tools to try together

Budget Planner

We’ve launched a free, easy-to-use Budget Planner that helps you take control of your money. It only takes 5-10 minutes – remember to factor in pocket money!

Go to Budget Planner