Living and working in the UK Alison Carmichael

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 Plus People 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% § P 86 when you enter the UK § P 85 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 services The 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/currentaccounts/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 E 111, used to receive state-provided healthcare in EEA § E 301 – record of working contributions. Request this form from the UK authorities before returning to your own country § E 303 – 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 HBA 5 DWP “Help with Your Rent” • Council Tax Benefit – leaflet CTA 5 DWP further information at www. dwp. gov. uk

Good luck! Any questions? Alison. carmichael@jobcentreplus. gsi. gov. uk www. jobcentreplus. gov. uk