Living and working in the UK

1. Living and working in the UK Maria Turner & Christina Cuthbert UK EURES Adviser September 2008 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

2. Working in the UK Employment law Living in the UK Looking for work Living and working in the UK

3. Great Britain • Great Britain is England Scotland and Wales • The public employment service is Jobcentre Plus • www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

4. United Kingdom • England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland • Population - 61 million • Unemployment varies across the UK average is 5% • Language - English • Welsh is spoken in some parts of Wales

5. Northern Ireland • Northern Ireland is part of the UK. The public employment service is: • The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) www.jobcentreonline.com • The Republic of Ireland isnot part of the UK.The public employment service is: • FAS - the Training and Employment Authority www.fas.ie

6. Working in the UK

7. Job opportunities Opportunities vary across the country, but include: • Construction middle & upper management roles i.e. Quantity Surveyors, Estimators, Project Managers • Opportunities are mainly in London & South East • Dentists, Pharmacists, Specialist Nurses • Drivers – buses, heavy goods vehicles • Chefs and hotel workers • Biotechnology/Pharmaceutical vacancies • Engineering

8. Jobcentre Plus Strongly advise people not to come to the UK if they do not have a job to start Good English is essential 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

9. Looking for work • UK newspapers have internet jobs sites • Visit company websites for job vacancies, company application forms and company information • Private agencies – many are registered with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation www.rec.uk.com

10. Employment law in the UK

11. Employment conditions and law • National Minimum Wage is: • £5.73 per hour for over 22 years, (£229 per week for 40hrs / €275) • £4.77 per hour 18 – 21 years approx (£191 per week / €229) • Working week on average is 37- 48 hours • Minimum holiday is 4.8 weeks (24 days if you work a 5 day week) • Your wage is usually paid monthly into a bank account • 20 minute rest break is allowed if you work more than 6 hours each day www.berr.gov.ukwww.acas.org.uk National Minimum Wage Helpline: 0845 600 0678

12. Useful Sites • Trade Union Congress http://www.tuc.org.uk help with employment questions, disputes, trade unions, health and safety at work etc. • Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs http://www.hmrc.gov.uk help with tax, national insurance, working contracts and hours etc • Health & Safety Executive http://www.hse.gov.uk help with safety and guidance at work etc. • Direct Gov http://www.direct.gov.uk this is the central site for all of the UK’s public services, includes information on health, driving in the UK, education, jobs, local councils, housing etc.

13. Income Tax • Tax is deducted from wages every week or month • Tax is 20% of gross income • 40% on earnings of over £36,000 (€43,200) • Self-employed people pay their own tax www.hmrc.gov.uk

14. Council 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. Council tax for an average property is approximately £100 per month (€120) • Council Tax may be included in your rent. Check with your landlord

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

16. National Insurance Numbers • Everyone working in the UK has a National Insurance number (NI No.) • 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 (Great Britain) • In Northern Ireland, contact the Jobcentre www.dwp.gov.uk

17. Example of weekly earnings If you earn £229 (€275) p/w, your employer will deduct approx: • Income Tax £25 (€32) • National Insurance £14 (€17) • You will receive £190 (€233) Living expenses could include: • Rent (room) £40 (€48) • Council Tax £25 (€30) • Travel £10 (€12) • Food / entertainment £50 (€60) … but you may have to spend more – particularly in London!

18. Living in the UK

19. Accommodation • Flats – furnished and unfurnished £400 - £500 per month (€480 - €600) • Houses - furnished and unfurnished£450 - £700 per month (€540 - €840) • Rooms £200 - £350 per month (€240 - €420) • You pay one month’s rent before you move in and usually 1 month’s deposit • Large cities are more expensive and accommodation can be difficult to find

20. Shopping basket • Bread £1.00 €1.20 • Milk 3.41litres£1.90 €2.30 • Sandwich £2.50 €3.00 • Cup of coffee £1.80 €2.15 • Cigarettes £5.50 €6.60 • Pint of beer in pub £3.00 €3.60 • Chocolate bar £0.60 €0.74 • Fish and chips £5.50 €6.60 • Cinema ticket £6.00 €7.20 • Short bus journey £1.50 €1.80 • Football match £15 - £100 €18 – €120

21. Health • You need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to use the UK National Health Service (NHS) • You can see an NHS doctor without paying • You can get NHS hospital treatment without paying • Prescribed medicines cost £7.10 (€8.50) per item • You will have to pay for spectacles and dental treatment www.dh.gov.uk NHS Direct 0845 46 47

22. Looking for work in the UK

23. Curriculum Vitae - CV • A CV helps you get an interview – not a job • Keep it simple – 1or 2 sides of A4 paper • Do not use handwriting or include photographs • Employers read CVs for 20 seconds – it must make a quick impression • Prepare a new CV for each job application – to match the job description • Access Jobcentre Plus website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk for examples of Graduate level cvs and covering letters

24. Application forms Many companies use application forms instead of a CV and most large companies now use online application forms • Read the form carefully • Follow the instructions • Photocopy the form and practice filling it in • Write a short letter to support your application

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

26. 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 need to pay for this service. www.naric.org.uk

27. Any questions? Christina Cuthbert EURES Adviser Location: Sheffield Phone: 0044 (0) 114 294 3593 Email: christina.cuthbert@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk Maria Turner EURES Adviser Location: South East Phone: 0044 (0)1273 647577 Email: maria.L.turner@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk