Nearly half of all children are given financial incentives for good manners, according to research by a Kent-based business.

The Children’s Mutual, based in Tunbridge Wells, has found that 44 per cent of children are now financially rewarded for good behaviour.

As well as good behaviour, parents are also offering an ‘honest wage’ for a hard day’s work, with 37 per cent of children earning their pocket money by helping out with chores around the home. Some 19 per cent fill their piggy banks by helping out with the family pet.

With the decision by the Government to make financial education compulsory for children as young as five from 2012, the Child Trust Fund provider has launched a new microsite.

It is designed to help parents teach their children about pocket money and saving.

Children can choose a ‘virtual’ pet, from a dog to a dinosaur, to help them learn to boost, manage and save their pocket money earnings.

Their parents can put a value against each chore to help them learn the value of money.

Tony Anderson, marketing director at The Children’s Mutual, said: "As children are receiving more and more pocket money in return for undertaking household chores, helping with the family pet and good behaviour, we created Pocket Money Petz to help spark their imaginations about earning and saving money."

According to The Children's Mutual research, pocket money has increased by 83 per cent in a generation to an average of £2.85 a week. Around 27 per cent of parents expect to increase this by £1 each year.

Because parents are uncertain about the going rate for each task, The Children’s Mutual has also created a Parents’ Pocket Money Guide.