1. Alison Carmichael Living and working in the UK www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk II International Jobsfair Budapest 19.4.08

2.  Searching for jobs  Employment law  Benefit information  Living in the UK Living and working in the UK

3. 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

4. Job opportunities Opportunities vary across the country, but include: Healthcare construction drivers engineering Factory and food processing work Hotel and catering workers Agriculture

5. Jobcentre Plus If you do not have a job to start you are strongly advised not to come to the UK You must be able to speak English to work in the UK Search for jobs online Call the telephone jobs service, Jobseeker Direct ( UK ) 0845 6060 234 Jobcentre Plus offices are self-service with Jobpoint computers www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

6. Looking for work UK newspapers have internet jobs sites Company websites Private agencies It is illegal for UK agencies to charge you a fee to find a job www.rec.uk.com www.wrx.zen.co.uk - many are registered with the Recruitment and Employers Confederation - for job vacancies, company application forms and company information

7. Graduates Good written and spoken English is essential Media/ Marketing is most competitive Competition is very high – be well prepared Many employers do not understand foreign qualifications Ensure your CV “sells” you to a UK employer Look on the EURES portal for more information www.eurograduate.com www.get.hobsons.co.uk www.prospects.ac.uk

8. Qualifications and degrees www.naric.org.uk Qualifications can differ in each European country Some qualifications are recognised across Europe Some professional people must apply for UK recognition The National Academic Recognition Information Centre, NARIC can compare your qualifications. This service is chargeable

9. Employment conditions and law www.tuc.org.uk www.adviceguide.org.uk www.acas.org.uk Minimum holiday is Wages are paid direct into a bank account Working time Regulations- maximum 48 hours working week 20 minutes break allowed if you work 6+ hours each day £220 per week Minimum wage is £5.35 per hour Working week is 37-40 hours 24 days

10. Contracts 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

11. Workers’ Registration Scheme www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk You must register within 30 days of starting work Registration costs £90 Guidance in Hungarian available + 44 114 207 6022

12. Income Tax www.hmrc.gov.uk Tax is deducted from source Most people pay the Basic rate 22% Personal allowance - £5,435 Starting rate (10%) - £2,230 Basic rate (22%) - £34,600 Income over this amount is taxed at 40% Self-employed people pay their own tax P86 on entry to the UK P85 on exit to claim tax refund

13. Municipal Tax Council Tax is paid to the council where you live, to pay for local services The amount you pay depends on your accommodation and family circumstances. It is £15 or more each week Council Tax may be included in your rent. Check with your landlord

14. 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

15. www.dwp.gov.uk Everyone working in the UK must have a National Insurance number You can apply for a number when you arrive in the UK If you have worked in the UK before, you do not need a new number Phone 0845 600 0643 to book an appointment National Insurance Number (NINo)

16. Health National Health Service www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk For NHS emergency medical treatment you should bring a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) Register with a local doctor and dentist. See website for local services Consulting your local doctor is free but prescribed medicines cost £6.65 per medicine (£5 in Scotland) You may have to pay for spectacles and dental treatment

17. Documents – E-forms E-forms are used in all EEA member countries when claiming benefit overseas Obtain the relevant E-form from your own country before you go E100 series – for posted workers and entitlement to sick/ maternity benefits E200 series – calculation/ payment of pensions E300 series – entitlement to unemployment benefits E400 series – family benefits E600 series – non-contributory benefits

18. E-forms (most commonly used) European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – used to receive emergency 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)

19. Benefits Child Benefit £18.10 pw for eldest child £12.10 each additional child Tax Credits Working Tax Credits ( Basic Element) Child Tax Credits ( Extra payable for children) www.hmrc.gov.uk

20. Benefit Information 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

21. Income-related benefit regulations People who claim an income-related benefit must have the “Right to Reside” and be “Habitually Resident” in the UK A8 Nationals have both these rights if they are working and registered with the WRS However if they lose their job in the initial twelve months they also lose their right to reside as a worker and entitlement to income-related benefits

22. Jobseekers Allowance If you lose your job and have paid enough NI (Social Security) contributions you may be able to claim Contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance(Unemployment Benefit). If you are sick you may be able to claim Incapacity Benefit Contributions you have made in your home country will count provided you have also been working in the UK and satisfy other eligibility criteria If you are on a low income you may get income-based Jobseekers Allowance providing you are classed as Habitually Resident in the UK To make a claim call 0800 055 6688

23. Accommodation Flats (Apartments) – furnished / unfurnished Houses - furnished / unfurnished Rooms You pay one month’s rent before you move in Large cities are more expensive and accommodation can be difficult to find Ask a UK EURES adviser for advice on a Regional basis £400-£600 per month £500-£800 per month £200-£350 per month

24. Your earnings:example If you earn £220 per week, you will pay: less Income Tax £22 less National Insurance£13 Rent (room)£70 Council Tax£15 or more The amount of Council Tax you pay depends on your accommodation (it could be included in the rent) Food / Living expenses £20-£30 per week

25. Cost of Living - Shopping Cigarettes£5.00 Loaf of bread£0.70 Sandwich£2.00 Cup of coffee£1.50 Pint of beer in pub£2.70 Chocolate bar £0.60 Fish and chips£5.00 Cinema ticket£5.00 Short bus journey£1.00 Football match£25 - 40

26. Useful Websites Childcare: www.childcarelink.gov.uk English Classes: www.englishinbritain.co.uk Courses: www.learndirect.com Driving: www.dvla.gov.uk Information for the public: www.direct.gov.uk

27. Any questions? Alison.carmichael@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk