1. Living and Working in the United Kingdom
Celia Pappas UK EURES Adviser 16th October 2010
Budapest

2. What do you think of when you think of the UK?
London ?

3. What do you think of when you think of the UK?
the food ?

4. What do you think of when you think of the UK?
the weather ?

5. Presentation objective
The aim of this presentation is to give you some of the information you will need to help decide whether working in the UK is the right move for you.

6. The United Kingdom England
– London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle,
Nottingham
Scotland
– Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen
Wales
– Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth,
Bangor
Northern Ireland
– Belfast, Londonderry/Derry
Population almost 62 million
Languages spoken – English, Welsh
Currency – British pound £
*5% on Jobseekers Allowance
Scotland population 5.17 million which is 9% of UK population

7. The Job Market Job Market Unemployment rate 7.8%
Increase in Part time vacancies
High Youth unemployment
Less Graduate vacancies
Decline in public sector jobs
Certain sectors still have shortages
*5% on Jobseekers Allowance
Scotland 8.9%
London 9.2%
N.E. 9.1%
Y&H 9.1%

8. Shortage Occupations Senior Care Assistants
This list of occupations is from the HO, UK Government – tier 2 PBS. These job positions are identified as the current Skill shortages in the UK
Strongly advised to secure a job before coming to the UK
English is essential to work in the UK
It is more difficult to find jobs due to the economic problem throughout the world; Competition is high
However UK companies want the best person for the job. UK is a multi cultural society, a diverse workforce
Senior Care Assistants

9. Shortage Occupations
Skilled Chefs/Cooks

10. Shortage Occupations
Social Workers in children’s and family services

11. Shortage Occupations
This list of occupations is from the HO, UK Government – tier 2 PBS. These job positions are identified as the current Skill shortages in the UK
Also includes: pharmacists, consultant Drs, ballet dancers, maths & science teachers and special needs teachers, managers in Construction, physicists, geologists and meteorologists.
Strongly advised to secure a job before coming to the UK
English is essential to work in the UK
It is more difficult to find jobs due to the economic problem throughout the world; Competition is high
However UK companies want the best person for the job. UK is a multi cultural society, a diverse workforce
Chemical / Mechanical /Electrical / Civil Engineers

12. Education - qualifications
For UK recognition of qualifications, contact NARIC
Learning the language – The British Council
University courses in the UK – Prospects
To study in the UK, your English language will need to be of a good standard
Qualifications can differ in each European country. Some qualifications are recognised throughout Europe. Harmonious training requirements throughout EU for: Nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists, architectures, vets
National Academic Recognition information Centre. There is a fee for this service and it can take 4 – 6 weeks to receive recognition of your qualifications.
In order to study in the UK, you need to take the IELTS International english language testing system course– to prove that your english language is sufficient to study in english – Prospects has more details
You can search the Complete university guide by subject and it will show all the universities in the UK that offer that subject/course
Direct.gov.uk website provides information on funding/sponsorship for courses. University websites will sometimes provide information on funding

13. Looking for work Jobsfairs UK newspapers (online) Company websites
EURES
Jobsfairs
UK newspapers (online)
Company websites
Private recruitment agencies
Online agencies / jobsites
Public employment services
Other mediums for job searching in the UK
Refer again to Handout: document of useful UK job searching websites for Jobseekers and Graduates
Handout: Top 100 UK companies with Graduate opportunities (and other, lower level jobs too)

14. Employment services in the UK
Great Britain - Jobcentre Plus
Northern Ireland - Department for Education and Learning (DEL)
Self service kiosks - Jobpoints
PES – Public Employment Services
GB is England Scotland and Wales – 900 Jobcentre Plus offices
NI – 35 jobcentres
Jobseeker Direct Helpline,
May wish to mention FAS – Rep of Ireland’s PES website

15. Job application process
Curriculum Vitae – C V 2 pages maximum, typed
Create a CV to match the job
Typed Application letter (covering letter)
Company application forms (sometimes online)
Interviews – it depends on the job applied for
CV – 2 pages to include Personal details, Qualifications and Work experience. State first (whatever is more relevant to the job you are applying), your work experience or your qualifications? Include Personal achievements, IT, Language skills… An employer will judge your CV in 20 seconds. It must make a quick impression!!
Application letters, one page, typed. A brief synopsis of your skills/experience. State when you are ready to start
Interviews are usually formal; dress smartly. There are usually 2 or more people interviewing you. Research the company before the interview.
Websites will give you samples of CVs and Letters and helpful hints on preparing for interviews

16. Working conditions

17. Employment Law Holiday entitlement 25 days +
National Minimum Wage: £5.93 per hour aged 22+
Holiday entitlement 25 days +
Verbal / Written contracts
Equality Act 2010
NMW £5.93 (22 years+) £4.92 (18-21) £
If you are 18 years+ and wish to work more than 48 hours a week, you can choose to do so. This must be voluntary and put in writing to your employer.
All workers have a statutory right to at least 28 days' paid holiday if you work five days a week. Your employer could choose to include bank holidays in the 28 days

18. National Insurance Number
Needed to pay social security contributions in the UK
Apply just before or as soon as you start work
11 % deducted from earnings between £110 - £844 plus
1 % of earnings above £844 per week
Self employed people pay their own NIC
This is a private, personal number; it must be kept safe at all times
If you have worked in the UK before, you will NOT need to apply for another NINO
Both very important websites – as they link together ALL government websites, under the one site. Jobs, healthcare, taxation, driving licences, training, education, funding. A great SEARCH mechanism in both websites.
Tel: or Tel: (NI)
Deduction from your wage NICs (contributes towards NHS, social benefits if required, and state pension)

19. Income Tax Basic rate: 20% £0 - £37,400
Higher rate: 40% £37,401 - £150,000
Additional rate: 50% Over £150,000
Self employed people pay their own tax
Tax is deducted from your wages weekly or monthly. Tax Free, personal allowance of £6,475 = basic level – income limit for personal allowance = £100,000

20. Living in the UK

21. Living Expenses 1 pound = 1.14 euro 1 euro = 88 pence
Bread - £1.50 = € 1.71
Milk 1l - £1.00 = € 1.14
‘Fast-food’ restaurant meal - £3.79 = €4.32
Cigarettes (20) £6.00 = € 6.84
1 pound = 1.14 euro
1 euro = 88 pence
Add in the Currency of the country
Ask the audience if prices are similar or not?

22. Living expenses 1 euro = 88 pence Cinema ticket £6.00 = €6.84
Pint of beer (568ml) - £3.00 = € 3.42
Cinema ticket £6.00 = €6.84
Bus/Train, short journey, (single) £1.50 = €1.71
1 pound = 1.14 euro
1 euro = 88 pence
Add in the Currency of the country
Ask the audience if prices are similar or not?

23. Accommodation Living in the UK Average monthly rental charges:
Apartments/Flats: £450 - £600 = (€ )
Houses: £500 - £800 = (€ £856)
Rooms: £200 - £350 = (€ £374)
One month’s rent required in advance as a deposit
Council Tax – local tax on accommodation
Utility Bills – water, gas, electricity & telephone
Houses/flats can be furnished on unfurnished (Costs are per month)
When looking for accommodation (to rent or purchase a home), search for “Estate Agents” online
Large cities such as London can be expensive to live in, and difficult to find accommodation. Some people tend to live outside the city
Question the audience – are the costs higher or lower than their country?
Council Tax is paid to the council where you live - to pay for local services like rubbish/refuse collection…
The amount you pay depends on your accommodation value and family/personal circumstances. Council tax for an average property is approximately £100 per month (€107)
Council Tax / utility bills may be included in your rent. Check with your landlord

24. Healthcare in the UK NHS - National Health Service
Visiting a doctor is free; a visit to the dentist you have to pay
Prescription medicines you may have to pay (depending on where you reside in the UK)
Before coming to the UK, make sure you have a EHIC
NHS Hospital treatment is FREE
If you are Employed/working, you will have to pay for:
Spectacles, dental treatment and sometimes medical Prescriptions. Prescription charges vary, depending on where you live in the UK. Some regions provide FREE medical prescriptions such as Wales,
Scotland charge £3 from April 2010 (currently £4)
NI prescriptions are £3 but free from April England is the only region of the UK where persons have to pay the full, £7.20 per medicine
EHIC – European Health Insurance Card

25. Your questions ? Celia.pappas@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
Copies of the presentation are available – if not, you can send me an and I will forward it to you.
Handouts with useful websites on living and working in the UK, including websites mentioned in the presentation are also available/ will be ed to you

26. Work placement opportunities
Please collect your Living and working in the UK presentation handout
Thank you!
Work placements/internships are not as popular in the UK as in other EU countries. I would advise you to explore the various UK job searching websites and make contact with companies/employers directly, sending a CV and letter, stating that you would be grateful to have an opportunity to work in their company for a period of time