Living and Working in the UK

1
Living and Working in the UK

• Lorraine Morris
• EURES Adviser
• Jobcentre Plus UK
• Sundsvall
• 1st-2nd February 2006

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 13 SEK

4
Regions of the United Kingdom

• For information about the regions look at
  www.visitbritain.com
• Local employment level
• Skills shortages
• Cost of living
• Accommodation
• Weather

5
UK Labour Market

• UK unemployment (ILO) 5.00 (Sept-Nov)
• 550,000 less unemployed 2.3 million more jobs
  than in 1997, and population has grown by 1.3M
• Employment rate 74.5
• Inflation 1.2
• Interest rate 4.75
• Earnings growth 3.7

6
Skills Shortages Sectors

• Engineering
• Teaching
• Information Technology
• Accounting
• Services
• General Management
• Healthcare
• Construction
• Transport

7
Employment in Healthcare Sector

• NHS Largest single employer within UK
  www.jobs.nhs.uk
• Jobcentre Plus main partner for working with NHS
  100,000 vacancies on site
• Registration required for Healthcare
  Professionals
• Overseas workers welcome. But potential decline
  in vacancies due to NHS Trusts under performing
  to meet government targets

8
Jobsearch in the UK

• Vacancies and information
• www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
• UK jobs and details of nearest EURES advisers
• www.europa.eu.int/eures
• Internet Jobsites
• www.jobsite.co.uk
• www.totaljobs.co.uk
• www.reed.co.uk
• 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

10
Graduate Positions

• Largest growth in graduate vacancies is in the
  business sector
• Media is the hardest sector to find work
• Competition is very high for graduate positions
• Graduate vacancies are declining
• Most employer will not have knowledge of foreign
  university degrees and therefore it is advisable
  to obtain a comparison
• National Academic Recognition Information Centre
  (NARIC) www.naric.org.uk

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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

12
Student/Summer Work

• Apply well ahead and research your trip
• www.eurodesk.org.uk -Link to UK Jobs and European
  Youth Portal
• www.studentlife.com/britain
• www.bbc.co.uk/radioone/onelife/travel
• www.anyworkanywhere.com
• www.concordiafarms.org
• www.pgl.co.uk/recruitment

13
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
• For further information about employment
  legislation in the UK contact www.dti.gov.uk or
  www.acas.org.uk

14
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
  www.hmrc.gov.uk
• Apply before you leave to enquire about a tax
  rebate!

15
Money Matters

• 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
• A single room in a 2 star hotel costs from 40
  per night
• Public transport is not cheap travel in London
  costs an average of 56 per month

16
Accommodation

• Housing in some parts of the UK is very expensive
• Average rental of a one bedroom appt 400/month,
  2 bedroom 600/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

17
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

18
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

19
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

20
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

21
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