I’ve lost count as to how many times I have said “where has the day gone?” or “there are just not enough hours in the day.” Well, what if you were able to free up 110 minutes of “extra” time a day. That would surely help, wouldn’t it? And what if we did have more time. What would we actually do with it?
New research from Lloyds, which was undertaken between 23rd and 30th May 2025, working alongside Trajectory Partnership and Professor Damian Hughes, uncovers how advanced technology, including personal digital assistants, fully autonomous AI agents, autonomous drones and vehicles, is set to revolutionise and transform our daily lives, changing how much free time Brits will have, potentially freeing up an extra almost 2 hours of free time each day.
Key findings from the research contained in the report, entitled The Future of Free Time, which was conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Lloyds across two surveys, found that 86% of us think we need more free time, which increases to 99% of those earning £100k+. Almost 1-in-3 people believe that having more free time would their improve mental health, while almost 1-in-4 feel that less than 10% of their time outside of work is genuinely free.
The first survey was made up of 1,000 UK adults (18+), whilst the second survey consisted of 1,000 UK adults earning over £100k per annum and found that 60% of those surveyed are open to adopting new tools to save time, a figure that rises to 97% of those earning £100k+.
Looking at the results, 86% of UK adults are craving more free time, with almost one in four (23%) feeling that less than 10% of their non-working hours are truly free, with the majority (86%) claim that getting more free time is important to them.
For those people who earn in excess of £100,000, the need for more free time drastically increases. In fact, 99% say it’s important, with 34% saying that they would be willing to give up their phone and 29% happy to give up coffee for a full extra hour of free time a day.
As a result, Lloyds has looked into the emerging technologies that could potentially soon help people bank up to 110 minutes of extra free time per day.
So, what are the biggest culprits that eat into our time each day? The research from Lloyds found that it is in fact household chores, with 47% of people identifying them as a major time-drain and 56% wishing they could spend less time cleaning and tidying. Cooking meals was next at 38% and grocery shopping was mentioned by 30%. With higher earners however, the top reason for free time being ‘lost’ is work, which was mentioned by 48% of those surveyed. 59% cited cleaning and tidying, while 45% said cooking meals is one of the chores they wish they could spend less time on.
31% of Brits say that admin tasks are also time-consuming, especially financial admin, which 22% wish they could outsource or simplify. These daily time chores are eating into over 72% of UK adults’ so-called free time.
New technologies are beginning to ease the burden of time-consuming tasks and the appetite for change is clear amongst those surveyed, with the majority of adults already turning to technology to save time. Banking apps are the most-commonly used tech to help with this, with 48% saying they use them. For high earners, their use rises to 55%. While 54% say that apps help with their health and fitness and 49% use AI assistant apps.
According to new data, time-saving opportunities can be made with household chores, freeing up 37 minutes a day with automation and smart home tech such as AI-powered vacuums, thus making cleaning quicker and easier.
Secondly, it will help with online research and admin by using next-gen AI assistants and tools, potentially saving you 31 minutes daily.
Thirdly, autonomous AI programmes are streamlining online shopping and banking, freeing up to 18 minutes a day. In addition, the innovations in drone delivery will eventually speed up parcel deliveries and collections.
Fourthly, whether you like it or not, the way we travel will be transformed with driverless cars, potentially saving up to 21 minutes a day.
And finally automating health and care appointments with at-home testing will shave off 3 minutes a day, as well as helping to cut down on unnecessary travel.
Best-selling author and co-host of the High Performance podcast, Damian Hughes, commented:
“This report challenges a powerful assumption: that time is something we’re losing. What if, instead, we could reclaim it? Not by working harder, but by working smarter. Not by rushing through life, but by rethinking how we live it.
Drawing on research, trends, and real-life shifts, this isn’t just a report about technology: it’s a report about people. It’s about our longing for freedom, our drive for wellbeing, and our deep human need to find meaning in how we spend our hours. Because in the end, how we use our time is how we live our lives.”
To download The Future of Free Time report and find out more about how emerging technologies and Lloyds Premier can help generate free time dividends, please visit: www.lloydsbankinggroup.com.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is a UK-based travel and motoring journalist and editor, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Images courtesy of Lloyds Banking Group
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