living and working in the uk alison carmichael uk eures adviser
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Living and working in the UK
Alison Carmichael
UK EURES adviser
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Living and working in the UK
Working in the UK Employment law Benefit Information Living in the UK
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
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
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
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
Jobcentre PlusPeople 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
Looking for work
www.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
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
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
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
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
Employment conditions and law Minimum wage is £5.35 per hour @ 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 0845 600 0643 to apply for a number
www.dwp.gov.uk
Bank Accounts
• To open an account on-line contact: www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/current-accounts/passport
• 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.
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)
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
Your earnings:example
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
Accommodation
Flats (Apartments) – furnished / unfurnished £400-600 per month (€600 – 900)
Houses - furnished / unfurnished
£500-£800 per month (€750 – 1,200)
Rooms
£200-£350 per month (€300 – 525)
You pay one month’s rent before you move in
Large cities are more expensive and accommodation can be difficult to find
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
