How Much Does Remote Business Support Really Cost? The UK Business Owner's Guide

When UK business owners first explore hiring remote business support, they typically compare two numbers: the local rate (often £12–£18 per hour) versus an offshore rate (typically £6–£10 per hour). It seems straightforward. But the real cost comparison is far more complex, and far more in favour of offshore support than most people realise.

The True Cost of a UK-Based Employee

A full-time employee earning £28,000 per year doesn't cost you £28,000. Once you factor in employer National Insurance contributions (13.8% above the secondary threshold), a statutory pension contribution (at least 3%), holiday pay (28 days minimum), sick pay, recruitment costs, and the hidden cost of management time, the real cost climbs to well over £36,000 annually, sometimes closer to £40,000 for a competent hire in a major UK city.

• Employer NI: ~£3,200 per year on a £28k salary
• Pension contribution: ~£840 per year
• 28 days holiday (approx. 10.77% of salary): ~£3,015
• Sick leave (UK average 5.1 days/year): ~£545
• Recruitment fee (15–20% of first-year salary): £4,200–£5,600
• Equipment, software licences, desk space: £1,500–£3,000

Add it up and a £28,000 UK employee can easily cost £43,000–£46,000 in year one. And that's before you account for the time you or a manager spend onboarding and supervising them.

What Does Offshore Support Actually Cost?

With a managed outsourcing provider like Agility, a full-time dedicated member of staff based in the Philippines typically costs between £1,500 and £2,200 per month all-in. That includes their salary, HR management, equipment, IT infrastructure, management oversight, and ongoing training.

Annualised, that's £18,000–£26,400, roughly half the true cost of a comparable UK hire, and without the employment liability.

But Is the Quality Comparable?

The Philippines produces over 700,000 university graduates per year, has one of the highest English literacy rates in Asia, and a deep cultural familiarity with UK and US business norms. Filipino professionals working in outsourcing careers are not filling a gap, it's often a prestigious and well-compensated career path in their home market.

The Verdict

If your business needs consistent, skilled administrative or operational support, the cost case for offshore staffing is compelling. Most of our clients are surprised to discover how quickly the savings compound when one offshore hire frees a business owner from 15–20 hours of weekly admin.