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LIVING AND WORKING IN LONDON |
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Welcome to London |
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This information was taken from the excellent summary provided by OfficeTeam UK.
Visit http://www.officeteamuk.com
OfficeTeam is a leading provider of specialised administrative professionals on a temporary and permanent basis.
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| OfficeTeam provides support throughout an organisation including: |
| Executive Assistants |
Team Secretaries |
Personal Assistants
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Project Administrators |
| Receptionists |
Administrators |
| Office Assistants |
Data Entry Clerks |
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HR Administrators |
and many more ... |
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| If you are coming from New Zealand or Australia to teach through Renaissance Education, then your partner or spouse should definitely contact OfficeTeam for excellent administrative opportunities. |
| When coming to London, you will need to deal with a number of important and urgent matters, not least finding a place to live and work! Renaissance Education will help you find teaching work, but for a brief guide to many important issues, see the information below :- |
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Opening A Bank Account |
| To set up a bank account in the UK, you will require the following documents: |
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Your passport |
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and ONE of the following: |
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If you are staying with a relative/friend, a letter from them, confirming that you are staying at their UK address. This letter must be supported with either an original Utility bill or Personal bank statement in the name of the letter writer to confirm that they reside at the address given. |
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A tenancy agreement signed by both yourself and your UK landlord. |
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You can use a letter from your employer, such as a school. |
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Letting Agent |
| There is a wide variety of accommodation in the London area, therefore it is wise to do some research before committing. Here are a few points to keep in mind: |
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You will need 1 month's rent in advance. |
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You will need approx £50 for bills and £50 for council tax over and above your rent. |
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Furnished flats are common in London. They will include living room furniture, fridge, cooker and limited kitchenware. |
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| Prices start at around £70 per week rising to £150+ in fashionable areas. The further you get out of town the cheaper the rent, although you will need to take into account travel costs. |
| Some popular areas to find flats and also meet other antipodeans include: |
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Acton |
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Chiswick |
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Southfields |
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Walthamstow |
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Putney |
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Clapham |
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Battersea |
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| A variety of magazines and newspapers carry letting lists as well as the following websites: |
www.thegumtree.com
www.tntmag.co.uk
www.aussieinlondon.com |
| Another great website and service to visit is Foxton’s Letting Agents. They offer a comprehensive service on locating and renting property in london. |
| Visit www.foxtons.co.uk or click here to download their Guide to Living in
London. |
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Visa Information |
| Website: www.ukvisas.gov.uk |
| Coming to the UK - Entry Clearance |
If you are currently outside the United Kingdom, you may need to apply for entry clearance before you travel. The entry clearance process for the United Kingdom is run by UKvisas through the British diplomatic posts around the world. The need to apply for entry clearance will depend on your current nationality and the scheme under which you wish to come to the United Kingdom.
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| UKvisas have a visa enquiry form on their website which can be used to determine whether you need entry clearance as well as providing details of the nearest British post where you can make your application. |
| Before you make your entry clearance enquiry, you will need to know which scheme you are interested in applying for. Details of the
various schemes offered under the United Kingdom Immigration Rules can be found on this website. |
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National Insurance (NI) Information |
| Everybody who works in the UK needs a National Insurance Number. National insurance is a payment that allows you to qualify for certain types of social services benefits. The amount of National Insurance you pay will relate to your income and the type of benefits that you receive. |
| When you are working, your employer deducts a sum from your wages or salary as a NI contribution (you can check the amount from your pay slip). Your employer adds to this contribution. |
| For more information check this website: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk |
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Public Transport |
| www.transportforlondon.gov.uk will help you get around London. From Tube and buses to river taxis and coach stations, use this link to plan your journey, check maps and fares.s |
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Trains |
| Get train times and book travel online: |
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Time Out |
| Website: www.timeout.com/london |
| Within these pages you will find huge amounts of information about the world's greatest cities. Each city guide is divided into sections: Living Guide, Accommodation, Sightseeing, Essential Information, Entertainment, Eating and Drinking, Shopping, Kids, and City links. |
The first page of each city is the Living Guide. This is a selection of the some of the most interesting features of the city, and includes up-to-the-minute listings ("This Month") of the best concerts, exhibitions, clubs and events happening now or in the near future. There's also information on hotels to suit every budget, the best restaurants, bars and cafés, and where you'll find best shopping. To smooth your stay, they've also included vital practical info, such as what the weather is like, how much your money will buy, the easiest way to get around, emergency telephone numbers and the like.
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TNT |
| Website: www.tntmagazine.com/uk |
The TNT Group is the market-leading publisher of free titles for independent travellers from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other countries around the world. The group boasts a number of publications including titles in Australia and New Zealand, a website and an events division. Through these products and services, the company provides travellers with up-to-date travel and lifestyle information. Guardian Media Group is the parent company for the TNT Group.
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1st Contact |
| Website: www.1stcontact.co.uk |
This website gives you details on where to live, visas, salary tax calculators, medical, education etc.
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The Gumtree |
| Website: www.gumtree.com |
This website gives can help with finding somewhere to live or someone to live with, things for sale, and job postings, as well as practical information for living in the UK.
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