Norah
Aldom Gosh, you're lucky to find someone to do gardening for £12 per hour. Mine charged £18. He wasn't all that good either. Had to let him go as he did more harm than good.
Costs to gardeners seem to be higher this season. But well worth it when the gardener does the heavy bark work.
This particular gardener charged £18 five years ago. Nothing to do with recent price rises. My handyman charges £22 per hour twelve years ago. Last year a handyman charged £50 for the first hour and £40 per hour thereafter.
People who pay tax on earnings need to charge enough to make a reasonable living. They have expenses too. A van, tools and fuel to take into account.