Lucrative business. They can earn over £100 a day. If you do an Internet search on the topic you will see many articles. Here is one local chap I see all the time:

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/le...ail/story.html

At least he plays an instrument and makes an effort compared to those who just sit there. I don't mind giving buskers a quid for entertaining me and brightening the streets.