1. Living and working in the UK
Alison Carmichael
II International Jobsfair
Budapest

2. Living and working in the UK
Searching for jobs
Employment law
Benefit information
Living 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. Opportunities vary across the country, but include:
Job opportunities
Opportunities vary across the country, but include:
Healthcare
construction
drivers
engineering
Factory and food processing work
Agriculture
Use the notes to give more details plus regional information
Opportunities are currently limited in the public health sector. However, there are opportunities in the private healthcare sector, particularly looking after elderly people.
Hotel and catering workers

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 )
There are a number of agencies in the UK who recruit from Europe.
Jobcentre plus cannot recommend particular private employment agencies.
Jobcentre Plus offices are self-service with Jobpoint computers

6. It is illegal for UK agencies to charge you a fee to find a job
Looking for work
UK newspapers have internet jobs sites
Company websites
- for job vacancies, company application forms and company information
Private agencies
- many are registered with the Recruitment and Employers Confederation
It is illegal for UK agencies to charge you a fee to find a job
Private agencies are an important source of jobs in the UK. Details can be found under Employment Agencies or Personnel Consultants in the Yellow Pages The Recruitment and Employment Confederation site allows you to search for agencies by employment type/activity or by the name of the company.
Newspapers are an important medium for job hunters in the UK. Listed below are newspaper websites that feature vacancy details.
Guardian
Daily Telegraph
Evening Standard
Financial Times
Local/regional papers
Scotsman
These newspapers, along with the Times and the Independent advertise professional appointments in teaching, business, law and social work. Local newspapers carry advertisements for all types of local jobs. Speculative applications and searching through other employment websites such as and company websites are further useful jobsearch techniques.
All Trades Unions belong to the TUC. The TUC website is
It is illegal for UK agencies to charge you a fee to find a job

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
The ability to speak English is essential for most vacancies in the UK and at graduate level you would probably be expected to be fluent
IT sector is still experiencing growth however this is slowing down compared to the previous 10 years
Increased numbers of young people in the UK are entering tertiary or higher education and therefore competition is very high.
The number of graduate vacancies is declining as many companies are recruiting at entry-level positions.
NARIC will do a comparison of your qualifications for a fee
Because the UK does not have many intern opportunities, you may need to apply direct to employers to see if they are interested
The British council may by able to help –

8. Qualifications and degrees
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
Teachers require Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - the UK Government's professional standard for teaching - to work in England and Wales. There is an agreement in place to recognise teaching qualifications across the EU. For information on accredited EU qualifications and to obtain the QTS application form (EC1) contact the GTCE (General Teaching Council for England).
Tel:
A website aimed at overseas teachers is
The Teacher Training Agency site contains useful information on teaching with links to other sites of interest to teachers.
Recruitment of teachers in the UK is carried out individually by schools, or in some cases, through a local education authority pool. Other useful sites include include:
and

9. Employment conditions and law
Minimum wage is
£5.35 per hour
£220 per week
Working week is
37-40 hours
24 days
Minimum holiday is
Wages are paid direct into a bank account
Working time Regulations- maximum 48 hours working week
Home > Business Advice > National Minimum Wage > WHAT IS THE National Minimum Wage?
National Minimum Wage
The National Minimum Wage helpline on Tel
The National Minimum Wage will increase again in October 2006
The minimum wage is a legal right which covers almost all workers above compulsory school leaving age. There are different minimum wage rates for different groups of workers as follows:
The main rate for workers aged 22 and over is currently set at £5.05 an hour. On 1 October 2006 this will increase to £5.35
The development rate for year olds is currently set at £4.25 an hour this will increase to £4.45 on 1 October 2006
The development rate for years olds. This rate is £3.00 an hour. This will increase on 1 October 2006 to £3.30 an hour
On 1 October 2006 the rate of the accommodation offset will increase to £29.05 per week (£4.15 per day). The current rate is £27.30 per week (£3.90 per day)
Average Working week is hours. Maximum is 48
Minimum holiday is four weeks/20 days/bank
holidays
For further information about employment legislation
in the UK the Department of Trade and Industry. Their Advice, Conciliation and Arbitration Service – ACAS 0- offer advice to employers and employees about all aspects of employment law. They helpline is 0800 xxxxxxxx
ACAS can give advice if you think you are being treated unfairly
You have the right to join a Trade Union but there is not always a Trade Union in all workplaces
All Trades Unions belong to the TUC. The TUC website is
20 minutes break allowed if you work 6+ hours each day

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 or
Both the employer and employee are normally entitled to a minimum period of notice of termination of employment

11. Workers’ Registration Scheme
You must register within 30 days of starting work
Registration costs £90
Guidance in Hungarian available
It is important to register because if you do not, you may not receive help if your job ends.
The Home Office is the government department which run
If you are self employed, you must register with HMRC –
If you work in the construction industry, you need a CIS registration card
s the Workers Registration scheme.
The form is in English. You must include a letter from your employer confirming you are working, your passport or identity card and two passport size photographs.

12. Income Tax 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
PAYE - Pay As You Earn system - Employers deduct tax from wages
You can earn £4,895 before you pay tax. How much you pay depends on your wages.
Starting rate 10% £0 - 2,090
Basic rate 22% £2, ,400
Higher rate 40% Over £32,400
Self-employed people pay their own tax and National Insurance
Visit Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at
The tax year is April to March
Forms:
P86 is issued when you arrive in the UK
P85 is issued when you leave in the UK
P45 is issued when you leave a job in the UK
P60 is issued at the end of each tax year (April)when you arrive in 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
National Insurance Contributions are a tax on income to pay for social security and welfare benefits and pensions
Employers also pay National Insureance for each employee

15. National Insurance Number (NINo)
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 to book an appointment
There is now a single national number to ring. They will arrange to send the application form and arrange an interview.

16. Health National Health Service
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)
NHS – National Health Service – free healthcare for people living in the UK.
NHS Dentists are hard to find in the UK. Most dentists are private and charge more.
Department of Health -
NHS Direct is a free telephone service to call if you are ill and do not know what to do. They will advice you to go to a doctor or a hospital – or how to care for yourself
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: (from the UK) (from abroad)

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

20. Benefit Information Child Benefit www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit
Working Tax Credit – further information at
Housing Benefit –leaflet HBA5DWP “Help with Your Rent”
Council Tax Benefit – leaflet CTA5DWP further information at

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

23. Accommodation Flats (Apartments) – furnished / unfurnished
£400-£600 per month
Houses - furnished / unfurnished
£500-£800 per month
Rooms
£200-£350 per month
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

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 £

26. Useful Websites Childcare: www.childcarelink.gov.uk
English Classes:
Courses:
Driving:
Information for the public:

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