Starting a career in the UK

Mrbrianmolko

I’m going to be hopefully moving to the UK around April/May to start a job. So need some pointers to ease the transition. What do I need to do before I go?

Is it easy to set up a bank account over there?

What about driving licence, im currently on a provisional, hopefully have the test in March, what happens if I don’t pass? (I will need to be able to drive in my new job).

Is the cost of living more/less?

Anyone recommend a site for letting agencies?

How much tax will one pay?

Any other advice/recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Passport

Where exactly you moving from, and where to?

BrayHead

UK tax calculator: http://www.listentotaxman.com/

Mrbrianmolko

Passport wrote:

Where exactly you moving from, and where to?

Moving from Dublin to Posibly (hasnt been decided yet) Manchester, London, Liverpool, York or Bristol.

Anyone able to give me a tale of their experiences in the transition?

Mrbrianmolko

And what is it like to work in england? LOnger hours/competitivness than Ireland? Note- i will be working in a council, is it like working in an irish council?

DublinWriter

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

Is it easy to set up a bank account over there?

You'll need a permanent UK residential address first, plus at least two items of personal I.D., one of which must include your UK residential adress, e.g. a utility bill, etc.

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

Is the cost of living more/less?

Depends on the area. If in the south east, rent will be sky-high. If you're going for a council job then stick as far North of the UK as possible as your salary will go a lot further.

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

How much tax will one pay?

Google the UK Inland Revenue service for the FAQs.

Mrbrianmolko

Cheers Dublin Writer, im thinking Liverpool, Machester and Chester at the moment, im doing a bit of reasearch into councils in the areas. The UK councils seem to have great working conditions and packages, such as relocation bonus, flexi time etc.

Anyone work a job in a UK council, do they know if its as handy as an Irish one? Ive heard they work harder though, which im well prepared to do.

isolde

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

Is it easy to set up a bank account over there? .

Not as easy as you would think. Don't know if I would have been able to do it without my first pay slip. But you need an account to get paid into. Catch22.

Well, I guess you can set one up easily enough, but it's also difficult to get overdraft facility / credit card / things like that, until you build up a bit of a credit history. I first set one up with Natwest but could only get a pretty basic account. After a few months I moved to FirstDirect (part of HSBC group) and should have tried them from the beginning. Would highly recommend them. Only catch with them now is that you have to have incomings of over 1500 per month or else you have to pay a fee of sorts.

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

What about driving licence, im currently on a provisional, hopefully have the test in March, what happens if I don’t pass? (I will need to be able to drive in my new job).

I would strongly advise getting your licence before you come, esp since you need one for your job. Try get it pushed forward. I don't think the pass rate here is much better. Your Irish provisional counts for nothing, so you will have to take the UK provisional test (which also includes a hazard perception test), as well as the practical. And you cant drive around unaccompanied on a provisional here like people get away with at home.

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

Is the cost of living more/less?

I genuinely think it's a bit more. I earn a lot more here, but I spend a lot more. Probably a very subjective thing though...

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

Anyone recommend a site for letting agencies?

rightmove.co.uk

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

How much tax will one pay?

22% or 40% depending on your earnings. Plus National Insurance (PRSI equivalent). Google it to find a tax calculator if you want accurate figures.

DublinWriter

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

Cheers Dublin Writer, im thinking Liverpool, Machester and Chester at the moment

I'd prefare Liverpool myself - I found Manchester to be very depressing.

Regards the cost of living, foodwise it's a little cheaper than the ROI, especially in the North of England. Clothes tend to be a little more expensive in the UK.

MrPudding

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

Is it easy to set up a bank account over there?

I was able to set up an account very easily. My bank was willing to accept that I would not initially have the required proof of address and such and were willing to proceed on the understanding that I would provide them when I got them.

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

What about driving licence, im currently on a provisional, hopefully have the test in March, what happens if I don’t pass? (I will need to be able to drive in my new job).

As isolde mentioned, you will not be able to drive on you provisional.

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

Is the cost of living more/less?

I find it to be cheaper to be honest. Utilities are less and food is cheaper for sure.

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

Anyone recommend a site for letting agencies?

I used "medics on the move" as I was unable to get over until 2 days before I was due to start work. They will take you requirements, find potential properties, view them and then provide you with a report. They will then organise viewings if you require it or, as in my case, organise the lease so when you come over you go straight to the letting agent and sign up. Great service.

sharper

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

Is it easy to set up a bank account over there?

I haven't used it myself but it might be worth looking at HSBC's Passport Account

http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/current-accounts/passport

Mrbrianmolko

Ok lads, i reckon il be getting a job offer in Runnymede, Surrey in the near future and want to get the ball rolling. I know this area is going to be expensive, but i will be renting a house with 4 other people so rent/council tax etc shouldnt be to bad.

Still waiting on my driving test.

I was told by a friend that the waiting list for a test in the UK is only about 3 weeks? If so, could i simply apply and do a test over there? if I fail i can re-apply a few weeks later?

I dont know how i'll set up a bank account, but i have mates over there that have been through that and hopefully they will be able to offer me advice.

Any other pointers etc would be really appreciated.

genie

I opened an account with the Nationwide Building Society, painless enough, BUT as I didn't have a job yet they wouldn't give me a debit card or a credit card so I had to make do with a cash card for months until they granted me an upgrade. My advice would be to hang on to your Irish bank account and cards until you have started a job in the UK.

DublinWriter

Mrbrianmolko wrote:

Ok lads, i reckon il be getting a job offer in Runnymede, Surrey in the near future and want to get the ball rolling. I know this area is going to be expensive, but i will be renting a house with 4 other people so rent/council tax etc shouldnt be to bad.

Nice quiet historic place. From what I remember there's a bus service from there to Uxbridge tube station (the most westerly tube station on the network), so getting into London at the weekend should be quite easy.