Living and Working in the UK

1
Living and Working in the UK

• Lorraine Morris
• EURESadviser
• West Midlands Region
• Jobcentre Plus UK
• Poznan

2
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland (UK)

• Great Britain (England,Wales, Scotland) and
  Northern Ireland
• Population 60 million
• 245,000km²
• Constitutional Monarchy
• Parliamentary Democracy

3
General Information

• English is the official language although Welsh
  and Gaelic are also spoken in parts of Wales,
  Scotland and Northern Ireland
• The ability to speak English is essential for
  most jobs
• The unit of currency is Pound Sterling GBP ()
• 1.00 5.77 Zloty

4
UK Labour Market

• UK unemployment 3.5 BUT has been steadily
  rising! 981,000 April 2006
• Employment rate 74.7
• Inflation 1.2
• Interest rate 4.75
• Earnings growth 3.7

5
Skills Shortages Sectors

• Engineering
• Teaching
• Information Technology
• Accounting
• Services
• General Management
• Construction
• Transport
• Health Service- NHS Frozen International
  recruitment

6
Jobsearch in the UK

• Vacancies and information
• www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk UK Number one
  recruitment site
• UK jobs and details of nearest EURES advisers
• www.europa.eu.int/eures
• Internet Jobsites
• See list available
• Private agencies www.rec.uk.com
• Newspapers www.onlinenewspapers.com

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Jobcentre Plus

• Over 1,000 offices

• Help with job search

• Register for a National Insurance number

8
Graduate Databases / CV Advice

• www.prospects.ac.uk - The UKs official graduate
  careers website
• features sections on careers advice, company
  profiles, employers recruiting and placement
  opportunities
• run by the University Careers Service
• www.eurograduate.com - Careers advice, company
  profiles, vacancies and useful links
• www.get.hobsons.com - Graduate vacancies and
  information
• www.cilt.org.uk - National database of vacancies
  with languages

9
Conditions

• Average earnings are 28,065 pa for men and
  20,314 pa for women
• The minimum wage is 5.05 per hour for workers
  aged 22 or over 4.25 for 18-21s 3.00 for
  16-17
• London has the highest level of pay in the UK,
  due concentration of higher paying industries.
  Many companies in the capital also pay allowances
  to compensate for the high cost of living
• Most workers can expect a 37.5 hour working week
  and four weeks holiday 48 HOUR WORKING AGREEMENT
• Agencies cannot charge a jobseeker any fees for
  finding work!!
• For further information about employment
  legislation in the UK contact www.tiger.gov.uk
  or www.acas.org.uk

10
Taxation

• Income tax is charged at three rates in the UK
• Starting rate (10) 0 - 2,090
• Basic Rate (22) 2,2091 - 32,400
• Higher Rate (40) over 32,400
• National Insurance contributions of 11 are
  deducted from gross earnings of over 82pw
• Family benefits- child benefit and working tax
  credits see www.hmrc.gov.uk

11
Workers Registration Scheme

• Workers must register within one month of
  starting work and reregister when changing jobs
• One off cost of 70
• See www.workinginthuk.gov.uk
• Does not apply to self employed who must register
  (free) with the Inland Revenue after starting
  work in UK 0845 9154515
• No unemployment or sickness benefits unless
  working continuously for 12 months in the
  UK-Registering with WRS begins process

12
Money Matters

• DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE COST OF LIVING IN THE UK
  !!!
• In addition to travel costs, you will need money
  for food, accommodation and other expenses until
  you receive your first salary
• Even if you find work immediately, you might need
  to wait a month for your first pay
• Food/household goods cost about 25-30 per person
  per week
• Public transport is not cheap travel in London
  costs an average of 56 per month

13
Accommodation

• Housing in some parts of the UK is very expensive
• Average rental of a one bedroom appt 400/month,
  2 bedroom 550/month
• Rents are 50 higher in London
• Flat shares are cheaper
• One or two months rent in advance will usually be
  required for rented accommodation, plus a deposit
  against damages

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Accommodation (2)

• Arrange temporary accommodation before you leave,
  www.laterooms.com for last minute hotel deals
• At least take the name addresses of hostels,
  hotels and estate agents with you, www.yell.co.uk
  for details
• EURES Advisers can advise on a Regional basis
  across UK
• www.onlinenewspapers.com

15
Healthcare

• Medical services are free to EEA citizens,
  working or looking for work in the UK
• You should apply to your local health centre to
  register with a National Health Service doctor
• Charges are made for prescribed medicines, dental
  care and eye tests
• NHS DIRECT www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk 0845 46 47

16
Cost of living - Food

• 6 eggs 0.70p
• Loaf of bread 0.65p
• Chocolate Bar (25/100gms) 0.40
• (Chicken 3.50
• 500g minced beef 3.00
• Bottle of wine from 4.00
• Butbargains BOGOF and late night shopping food
  heavily discounted in supermarkets

17
Cost of Living- leisure

• Cinema ticket 5 each Theatre Ticket from 15
• Pint of Beer in a pub 2.50
• Packet of 20 cigarettes 5.00
• McDonalds meal 4
• Fishchips or Indian Takeaway .5.00
• Meal in café/bar from 4 - 10
• Premiership football match ticket 26 - 50

18
Cost of Living- Travel

• Bus journey 1
• Single London Underground ticket 2 (Zone 1)
  Monthly travel card in London (Zones 1-2) 77.60
• Petrol 0.90p per litre
• Train from London to Birmingham 20-70
  off-peak/peak Coach or Flight from Glasgow to
  Birmingham from 20 (single)

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Living and Working in the UK

• Lorraine Morris
• Lorraine.morris1_at_jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk