Information on Working in the UK

Before you leave

At The Agency “Face2Face” we will attempt to find you a position in the UK before you even leave home, along with our support and commitment this is just one of the things you can rely on with The Agency “Face2Face”.

Regardless of your qualifications and experience you may very well find the transition to the UK working system very confusing. At The Agency “Face2Face”, together with our clients, we will endeavour to make this as straightforward and hassle free as possible.

Once your application forms have been received we will contact you and a time will be scheduled for your interview. During the registration and interview process we will confirm short-term, long-term or supply positions and if you require we can book temporary accommodation in the UK for your arrival - and this is even before you`ve left home. Where it is possible we will always try to work around your travel plans.

Registering with The Agency “Face2Face” is free - we know that making the big move overseas can be expensive with travel costs, passports, visas, insurance, flights etc. that`s why this service is free to you.

Living in the UK (General Overview)

Accommodation

One of the major considerations you will have when you are thinking of a career move is accommodation. he Agency "Face2Face" clients in the UK are more than happy to be able to assist you with what can be a daunting task. To ensure you are making a well informed decision, we will provide you with advice and information from a wide variety of sources.

Commuting

Travelling to work on public transport can be stressful until you become familiar with train and bus routes. With each assignment, your consultant will inform you of the best possible travel routes. You will find that the most cost effective way to utilise the public transport system is to buy a weekly or monthly "travelcard" for your most used travel zones. We also recommend you purchase an A-Z directory for your local area.

Bank Accounts

It is important that you open a bank account as soon as possible after arriving in the UK so that you can receive your pay quickly and with no hassle. The Agency "Face2Face’s" local clients can make this an easy process for you, they will provide you with a letter of introduction to a major UK bank who have agreed to open accounts for our registered locums should they require the service.

Our Clients company policy is to pay you directly into your bank account. To do this they will need the following information:

1. Bank account number
2. Bank sort code
3. Your bank reference number (if applicable)
4. Your account name
5. Your bank name and branch

If for any reason there is a delay in opening a bank account then we can arrange for you to receive a cheque for the first weeks you work for The Agency "Face2Face" Clients.

Travel to the UK

Facts for the traveller

Booking your flight

Tips: It will be cheaper to fly to the UK in off-peak times such as November through February - check any special offers with your Travel Agent. You may like to also explore the option of Charter Flights and Travel Packages.

Travel Insurance is an absolute necessity and it`s a good idea to shop around to make sure you get the best possible deal for your individual needs. Check with your Travel Agent for some recommendations. If you are paying for your flight via your credit card you may automatically receive a minimal level of insurance, confirm your eligibility with your credit card carrier.

Now that you`ve booked your flight, its time to work out what to pack. Click here for the The Agency "Face2Face" Travel Checklist that you may like to use as a guide.

Weather

When spending an extended period of time in the UK you will more than likely become obsessed with the weather. In relative terms generally the climate is quite mild and the rainfall isn`t spectacular. When visiting remember that the worst months are from November to February - it tends to be very cold and the days are short. March through October have more daylight however its still quite cold. The best months to visit and travel are April to September. July and August are the busiest months and if possible should be avoided if you don`t like crowds.

Budget advice

The UK can eat quite a big whole in your pocket and you may blow your budget sooner than you expected if you don`t watch your pennies. Set yourself a daily budget for bare survival items ie; accommodation, travelcards, food and entertainment. Be warned that even the most moderate of sightseeing or nightlife can easily blow your budget even for the biggest penny pinchers. Once you get out of the city into the more remote areas the costs will drop especially if you have travel passes and cook for yourself where possible.

When eating in an English restaurant if you intend on tipping you should tip at least 10% of the bill. Hospitality staff are often paid derisory wages on the assumption that the money will be supplemented by tips. You will find that some restaurants will include a service charge on the bill, in which case a tip is not required.

Be advised that taxi drivers EXPECT to be tipped about 10%, especially in London. Most locals will tip if the taxi driver is pleasant and has a chat with you - if they don`t then don`t bother to tip. An easy way to get out of it is to round the fare up to the next 50p.

Traveller`s cheques are widely accepted in UK banks and it may be easier for you to purchase them in pounds to avoid changing currencies more than once. Change bureaus in London often charge outrageous commissions and fees so remember to budget for deductions in advance. However, the bureaus at the international airports tend to be exceptions to this rule and will often charge less than most banks and may even cash travellers cheques made out in pounds for free. ATM`s or Cashpoints are very common in the UK and most are linked to major credit cards and cash networks such as Cirrus, Maestro and Plus. Be warned that if a machine swallows your card the majority of banks will insist on cutting it up and returning it to your home bank - which isn`t very helpful when its on the other side of the world.

Airports

When you arrive in the UK you will more than likely arrive at one of the 2 largest international airports in London: Heathrow and Gatwick.

Heathrow is about 15 miles west of the city. One of the quickest ways of getting into Central London is on the tube, it takes about 40-50 minutes on the Piccadilly line. For those not watching their budgets as much Heathrow offer the Heathrow Express train straight into Paddington station, it takes about 15 minutes. If you have a lot of luggage you`d be better off taking an Airbus into the city. The Airbus` run approximately every 15-20 minutes and takes between 60-90 minutes depending on traffic. A taxi ride into Central London will cost the most. Choose your transportation method and follow the signs from the airport to either the Underground, Bus stop or taxi point.

Be warned that Terminal 4 is a fair distance from Terminals 1-3 - make sure you know the terminal for your flight whether you`re arriving into or leaving from Heathrow.

Don`t forget that if you`ve arranged your work and accommodation arrangements through The Agency "Face2Face" Clients that they can also meet you at the airport and escort you to your initial accommodation - all free of charge.

Gatwick is almost 30 miles south of the city. The Gatwick Express runs a train service between the airport and Victoria station, central London, 24 hours a day. This service operates every 15 minutes from 5.30am to 8pm and then every 30-60 minutes during other times. The journey takes about 30 minutes.

London also has three other major airports:

• Luton Airport, 35 miles northwest of London
• Stanstead Airport, 38 miles northeast of London
• London City Airport, 6 miles from "the City" in the London financial district
The Thameslink service operates between central London and Luton Airport Parkway station and the quickest journey takes about 27 minutes, a free shuttle bus runs between the airport and the station.

The Stansted express train service runs frequently between London, Liverpool Street station and the airport. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes.

Major Regional International Airports:

• Birmingham International Airport, 9 miles from city centre
• Glasgow Airport, 8 miles from city centre
• Edinburgh Airport, 8 miles from city centre
• Manchester International Airport, 10 miles from city centre

There are also many domestic airports throughout the UK and the following airlines providing domestic air services:

• British Airways
• British Midland
• Airway
• Air UK
• Aer Lingus