Living and working in the UK Alison Carmichael II International Jobsfair Budapest 19.4.08 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Living and working in the UK Searching for jobs 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

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

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 ) 0845 6060 234 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 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

It is illegal for UK agencies to charge you a fee to find a job Looking for work UK newspapers have internet jobs sites www.wrx.zen.co.uk 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 www.yell.com. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation site http://rec.bucksnet.co.uk/search 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 www.jobsunlimited.co.uk Daily Telegraph www.jobs.telegraph.co.uk Evening Standard www.londonjobs.co.uk Financial Times http://ftjobs.ft.com Local/regional papers Scotsman www.careers.scotsman.com   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 www.fish4jobs.co.uk and company websites are further useful jobsearch techniques. All Trades Unions belong to the TUC. The TUC website is www.tuc.org.uk. www.rec.uk.com It is illegal for UK agencies to charge you a fee to find a job

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 – www.britishcouncil.org.uk www.eurograduate.com www.get.hobsons.co.uk www.prospects.ac.uk

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). E-mail: info@gtce.org.uk Tel: 0870 001 0308 A website aimed at overseas teachers is www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachinginengland   The Teacher Training Agency site www.canteach.gov.uk 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: www.tesjobs.co.uk, www.prospects.ac.uk, http://education.guardian.co.uk www.schoolsnet.com and www.iloveteaching.com www.tta.gov.uk www.naric.org.uk

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 0845 600 0678. 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 18-21 year olds is currently set at £4.25 an hour this will increase to £4.45 on 1 October 2006 The development rate for 16-17 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 37-40 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 www.dti.gov.uk www.acas.org.uk 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 www.tuc.org.uk. 20 minutes break allowed if you work 6+ hours each day www.acas.org.uk www.tuc.org.uk www.adviceguide.org.uk

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 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

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 – 08459 154 515 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. www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk + 44 114 207 6022

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% £2,091 - 32,400 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 www.hmrc.gov.uk 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 www.hmrc.gov.uk

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

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

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 0845 600 0643 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. www.dwp.gov.uk

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 - www.dh.gov.uk 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. 0845 46 47 You may have to pay for spectacles and dental treatment www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

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

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: 0845 070040 (from the UK) +44 191 225 4811 (from abroad)

Benefits Child Benefit £18.10 pw for eldest child £12.10 each additional child Tax Credits Working Tax Credits ( Basic Element) Child Tax Credits ( Extra payable for children) www.hmrc.gov.uk

Benefit Information 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

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

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 0800 055 6688

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

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

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 £25 - 40

Useful Websites Childcare: www.childcarelink.gov.uk English Classes: www.englishinbritain.co.uk Courses: www.learndirect.com Driving: www.dvla.gov.uk Information for the public: www.direct.gov.uk

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