Living and working in the UK

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Living and working in the UK
Alison Carmichael UK EURES adviser www.jobcentrep
lus.gov.uk
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Living and working in the UK

• Working in the UK
• Employment law
• Benefit Information
• Living in the UK

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United Kingdom

• England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Population - 60 million
• Unemployment varies across the UK average is 5
• Language - English
• Welsh is spoken in some parts of Wales

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Job opportunities

• Opportunities vary across the country, but
  include
• engineering
• health and care workers
• construction
• drivers buses, heavy goods vehicles
• factory work
• chefs and hotel workers
• Agriculture

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EURES website

• Find a job search the vacancies in all EURES
  countries
• CV-online - register your CV for employers to
  see
• EURES advisers details of 700 EURES
  advisers
• www.eures.europa.eu

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EURES website

• Living and Working information
• accommodation and taxes
• cost of living
• health, education and social information
• comparing qualifications
• labour market information - by country and
  region
• Learning
• education and training opportunities in Europe
• universities and colleges

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Jobcentre Plus

• People are strongly advised not to come to the UK
  
• if you do not have a job to start
• You must be able to speak English to work in the
  UK
• Search for jobs online
• Call the telephone jobs service, Jobseeker
  Direct 44 (0) 845 6060 234
• Jobcentre Plus offices are self-service with
  Jobpoint computers
• www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

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Looking for workwww.eures.europa.eu
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

• UK newspapers have internet jobs sites
  www.newspapersonline.com
• Visit company websites for job vacancies, company
  application forms and company information
• Private agencies many are registered with the
  Recruitment and Employers Confederation
  
• www.rec.uk.com
• It is illegal for UK agencies to charge you a fee
  to find a job
• www.yell.com for speculative applications

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Graduates

• Good written and spoken English is essential
• It is hard to find media jobs
• Competition is very high
• Graduate vacancies are declining
• Many employers do not understand foreign
  qualifications
• The UK does not have many work placement
  opportunities
• www.prospects.ac.uk

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Qualifications and degrees

• Qualifications can differ in each European
  country
• Some qualifications are recognised across the
  Europe
• Some professional people must apply for UK
  recognition
• The National Academic Recognition Information
  Centre, NARIC can compare your qualifications.
  You will pay for this service
• www.naric.org.uk

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Vocational Qualifications

• www.nrp.org.uk
• In some cases, it may be possible to use
  qualifications from abroad, Or,in cases where
  workers are skilled but do not have formal
  qualifications, assessment methods such as
  On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) or
  Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA)
  can be used to qualify to UK standards
• www.constructionmigrantworkers.co.uk

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UK Employment Rights

• You are entitled to the same employment rights as
  the domestic workforce. This includes
• The National Minimum Wage
• Working Time Rights
• Health and Safety Protection
• The Right to Join a Union
• Protection from Unfair Discrimination
• Further information in other languages
• www.tuc.org/tuc/rights

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Employment conditions and law

• Minimum wage is 5.35 per hour _at_ 22 about 214
  per week or 316
• Working week is 37-40 hours
• Deductions can be made for accommodation (29.05
  per week max) and transport
• Minimum holiday is four weeks - 20 days
• Wages are usually paid direct into a bank account
• 20 minutes break allowed if you work 6 hours
  each day
• www.dti.gov.uk
  www.acas.org.uk
• National Minimum Wage helpline 0845 600
  0678

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Employment Law

• Contracts can be written or verbal
• It is a legal requirement for you be provided
  with either a contract of employment or a job
  description in English and the migrant workers
  native language within 8 weeks of them starting
  work with you. Further guidance from
  www.dti.gov.uk/employment or www.businesslink.gov.
  uk
• Both the employer and employee are normally
  entitled to a minimum period of notice of
  termination of employment

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Induction

• All workers should undergo a site induction
  before commencing work. This should cover
• Practices in the workplace
• The role of the worker
• Dealing with problems in the workplace
• Adapting to an unfamiliar culture or environment
• How to request assistance
• Information on medical facilities, trade unions
  etc

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Further Information

• For employment legislation leaflets and to
  resolve disputes contact www.acas.org.uk
• For further information also contact
  www.dti.gov.uk and www.worksmart.org.uk
• For free, confidential, impartial advice visit
  www.cas.org.uk
• www.adviceguide.org.uk/cab_dealing_with_grievances
  _polish.pdf

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Income Tax

• Tax is deducted from source
• Most people pay the Basic rate 22
• Income up to 2,150 is taxed at 10
• Income over 33,300 is taxed at 40
• P86 when you enter the UK
• P85 when you leave the UK
• For forms and information visit
• www.hmrc.gov.uk

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Council Tax

• Council Tax is paid to the council where you
  live, to pay for local servicesThe amount you
  pay depends on your accommodation and family
  circumstances. It is 15 (22) or more each week
• Council Tax may be included in your rent. Check
  with your landlord

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National Insurance

• National Insurance is deducted from wages (8-11)
• The amount you pay depends on how much you earn
• Self-employed people must pay their own National
  Insurance

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National Insurance Number (NINO)

• Everyone working in the UK has a National
  Insurance number
• You must apply for a number when you start work
• If you have worked in the UK before, you do not
  need a new number
• Phone [phone] to apply for a number
• www.dwp.gov.uk

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Bank Accounts

• To open an account on-line contact
  www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/current-accounts/passp
  ort
• You require proof of identity when opening a bank
  account passport, letter from your employer and
  proof of address
• If possible take information about your home bank
  account (www.bba.org)
• Salaries are usually paid into a bank or building
  society account.

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E-forms (most commonly used)

• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) replaced
  E111, used to receive state-provided healthcare
  in EEA
• E301 record of working contributions. Request
  this form from the UK authorities before
  returning to your own country
• E303 to claim unemployment benefits in another
  EEA country for up to 3 months
• Available from the Centre for Non-residents tel
  0845 070040 (from the UK) 44 191 225 4811 (from
  abroad)

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Health

• For emergency medical treatment you should
  bring a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
• National Health Service NHS
• When you are settled, register with a local
  doctor
• Consulting your local doctor is free but
  prescribed medicines cost 6.65 ( 9.82) per
  medicine
• You may have to pay for spectacles and dental
  treatment
• www.dh.gov.uk NHS Direct 0845 46 47

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Your earningsexample

• If you earn 220 (308) per week, you will pay
• less Income Tax 22 (32)less National
  Insurance 13 (18)
• Rent (room) 50 (70)
• Council Tax 15 (21) or more
• The amount of Council Tax you pay depends on your
  accommodation (it could be included in the rent)
• 20-30 (28-42) per week for food / living
  expenses

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Accommodation

• Flats (Apartments) furnished / unfurnished
  400-600 per month (600 900)
• Houses - furnished / unfurnished500-800 per
  month (750 1,200)
• Rooms 200-350 per month (300 525)
• You pay one months rent before you move in
• Large cities are more expensive and accommodation
  can be difficult to find

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Income-related benefits

• Child Benefit www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit
• Working Tax Credit further information at
  www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
• Housing Benefit leaflet HBA5DWP Help with Your
  Rent
• Council Tax Benefit leaflet CTA5DWP further
  information at www.dwp.gov.uk

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Good luck! Any questions?

• Alison.carmichael_at_jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
• www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk