moving to - The London Irish Centre

mo ving t o
London
a practical companion for Irish people
Lead Authors
Jeff Moore
Jeff is the Director of Welfare at the
London Irish Centre. Jeff holds an
MA and is working towards a PhD in
the area of migration studies.
Suzanne Gallagher
Suzanne holds an MA and a
graduate diploma in Law. Suzanne
has provided second line legal
advice to professionals at the
London Irish Centre and the African
Cultural Centre in London.
Lead Researchers
Geraldine O’Regan
Maisoun Yagoub
Designer
Kelvin Farrell - www.kelvinwins.com
Kelvin is an Irish freelance designer
who has worked with the us on a
number of projects, including the
design of the new London Irish
Centre website.
Sponsor
The london Irish Centre would like
to thank Bugler Developments for
their contribution towards the costs
of producing this booklet. Bugler
Developments have a proud tradition
of 28 years of excellence in the
construction of quality residential and
commercial buildings for both public
and private sector clients.
Contact
For more information about this
booklet, please contact
[email protected]
Contents
4
Introduction
6
Housing
What to do if you are in a crisis
29
Working in London
36
Claiming benefits
39
Setting up a bank account
41
Accessing healthcare
47
Education
52
Transport in London
58
Entertainment
Advice on moving to London
68
Services for Irish people
73
References
Funders
19
63
Introduction
The London Irish Centre has been
providing advice to Irish people
thinking about moving to London for
nearly 60 years. Since the recession
the Centre has experienced a
substantial increase in the number of
individuals living in Ireland who are
looking for information on moving
to London, and this booklet is a
response to this need.
The purpose of this document is
to provide essential information on
housing, employment, accessing
health services, banking, transport,
claiming benefits, and general life
in London so that you can plan your
move properly. Every effort has been
made to ensure that all information
is accurate at the time of writing;
however, the first rule of giving good
advice is that information should
be taken from reliable sources, and
so this booklet provides links to
organisations that develop policy and
set rates, such as the Department
of Work and Pensions, Transport for
London, and letting and employment
agencies. We hope that the booklet
will be a useful starting point in
setting you off in the right direction.
If you require more detailed
information we recommend that you
contact these agencies or advice
services, such as the London Irish
Centre’s advice service, directly.
This booklet is the result of a
year’s worth of work by skilled
advice workers and volunteers at
4
the Centre. Over the last year the
London Irish Centre interviewed over
140 Irish people who have moved
to London in the last 12 months. We
asked them about issues such as
finding work and accommodation
and what advice they would have
for other Irish people considering
moving to London. Quotations that
were representative of this group’s
experience have been provided
throughout this booklet. It should
be noted that every individual’s
experience of moving to London
will be different; qualifications,
professional experience, relations in
London and health status will affect
the experience of each migrant. The
information taken from this limited
sample cannot be said to represent
all recent Irish migrants. However,
this advice comes directly from Irish
people who have recently moved to
London and we believe that, in some
cases, this is more informative than
the opinions of practitioners.
Although this booklet draws on
nearly 60 years’ worth of experience
of providing advice to recent
migrants, it also encapsulates
much of what is good about the
current Irish community in London.
Hundreds of recent migrants were
willing to provide information on their
experience so that other Irish people
would find the experience easier;
partner organisations, such as the
Federation of Irish Societies, have
given their expertise, volunteers
have given their time and expertise
to ensure all information is accurate,
and a range of Irish professionals
have also provided advice in the
Employment section. Special
thanks must go to Mimi Yagoub and
Geraldine O’Regan for their work
on the initial stages of the booklet,
Suzanne Gallagher for her work on
the later stages of the booklet, Kelvin
Harris for his work designing the
booklet and Bugler Developments
who kindly sponsored the booklet.
with one of these agencies before
leaving Ireland or as soon as you
arrive in London. They are here to
provide you with advice and help you
integrate in London.
Jeff Moore
Director of Welfare
The chairperson of the Federation
of Irish Societies, Mary Tilki, has
claimed that “convenience may
encourage unplanned, hasty
migration, often associated with
‘escape’ rather than a positive
decision to move and thus
subsequently undermine the
prospects of settlement”1. Although
many of the recent migrants we
work with are highly educated and
independent, we also work with
migrants who have not planned their
move to London and arrived under
chaotic circumstances. Above all,
we recommend that, if you intend
to move to London, you plan your
move as thoroughly as possible. This
booklet sets out to provide resources
which may assist in the process of
such planning.
Towards the end of this booklet, we
have provided details of agencies,
which are part funded by the Irish
state, and which focus on the needs
of Irish people in London. We
recommend that you get in touch
5
Housing
6
Finding a place to live
One of your first considerations when
moving to London should be what type
of accommodation you will need, where
you want to live and, importantly, what
you can afford.
“
In Cork it took me
a few days to find
accommodation… I’m
nearly a month and a half
looking here… There are
plenty of houses, but it’s
just there are so many
people that get there
before you.
“
Although accessing accommodation
is comparable to Ireland, what struck
most people we spoke to was the high
cost of privately rented accommodation,
the level of competition, and large
differences in price from one area to
another. This section provides essential
information on where to live, price
guidelines, dealing with your landlord,
council tax and social housing.
Some useful facts
Private renting rates in
Central London can be
double those of outer
boroughs2.
According to Homelet in
August 2011, London
tenants paid an average of
£1,202 per month in rent.
This is an increase of 12.2
per cent compared to the
same time in 20103.
The average house price
in London was £343,000 in
March 2011, up 5.6 per cent
in the last 12 months4.
Nearly half of London’s
households live in flats,
compared to 14 per cent in
the rest of England5.
7
Thinking about where to live
“
“
Knowing good and
bad areas can also be a
challenge. They’re a lot less
defined in London.
South (Clapham, Brixton, Battersea
and Wandsworth): Clapham and
Battersea have become very popular
over the past couple of years, with many
of the industrial buildings being replaced
by new flats. This is a lively area with
plenty of bars, restaurants, shops and
pubs. Clapham is best known for its
green space ‘Clapham Common’, its
high street and the village. Battersea is
an inner-city district of South London,
situated on the south side of the River
Thames. Brixton has a prominent street
market and a multi-ethnic community.
South West (Earl’s Court, Fulham,
Putney, Wimbledon and Southfields):
Excellent transport links to Central
London. For more of a ‘neighbourhood’
feel, head to Putney or Fulham, where
8
lively pubs and clubs meet parks
and public libraries. Wimbledon and
Southfields also have lots of flat-shares
and good transport links. These areas
are within easy walking distance of
High Street Kensington, Holland Park,
Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park, the
Royal Albert Hall, Imperial College, the
Natural History, Science and Victoria and
Albert museums.
North (Highgate, Hampstead,
Archway): These suburbs have a village
atmosphere, with leafy parks, pubs and
fancy restaurants. Accommodation can
be expensive here, however, especially
in Hampstead and Highgate. Hampstead
is also known for its large hilly parkland
heath.
“
The main difference is the
choice. You can live in
some of the grandest and
grottiest houses on the
planet. Just depends on
how prepared you are to
look for something good.
“
London is a vast city and making
a decision about where to live will
ultimately depend on a variety of factors.
Price, transport links and travel, and
local amenities should all be taken into
account when thinking about where to
live. Exploring the area and speaking
with locals and friends who live there
may help. You may also enquire with
the metropolitan police (or check their
data on the rate of crime in every area at
www.met.police.uk/crimefigures ). Above
all, if possible, it is best to go out and
explore London yourself.
North West (Notting Hill, Willesden
Green, Kilburn, Wembley, Camden):
Camden and Notting Hill are the trendier
suburbs in this area with bustling
markets (Camden and Portobello Road),
and buzzing restaurants and bars.
For more affordable but still buzzing
suburbs, try Willesden Green, Kilburn
and Wembley. The London Irish Centre
is located in Camden.
West (Shepherd’s Bush, Acton,
Hammersmith): Shepherd’s Bush
and Acton are filled with affordable
accommodation, legendary pubs and
pub culture, and accessible transport
links. The Hammersmith and Fulham
Irish Centre is also located here.
South East (Blackheath, Greenwich,
Docklands, Canary Wharf): There
are good transport links thanks to the
Jubilee line, the Docklands Light Rail
(DLR) and the East London line, and
accommodation is reasonably priced.
Canary Wharf is a financial centre.
Greenwich has a fantastic market and
New Cross hosts Goldsmiths College.
Irish Community Services and Lewisham
Irish Centre are located here.
Useful websites
The Timeout website provides a
detailed look at some of London’s
most popular areas
www.timeout.com/london/
feature/904/london-by-area
map reproduced from www.comersis.com
9
Top Tip: Learn how to use Google Maps. It’s a great way of finding out
about transport links and local amenities.
Google street view lets you explore places around the world through 360-degree
street-level imagery.
10
The first thing you will need to do is
work out a rental budget that you can
realistically afford. Other costs to be
considered include a deposit, council
tax, utility bills, agency fees and possibly
furniture or essential household items.
Depending on your rental agreement
some or all of these expenses may be
included in your rent. Privately rented
housing can be self-contained or shared
with other people. It is important to be
realistic about what you can afford.
Sharing is usually cheaper.
Top Tip: Generally, moneymanagement advisors
recommend that you set
aside a third of your income
for your accommodation.
in a lodger to help cover the mortgage
or rent. Living with your landlord will
mean that you have fewer rights. Such
accommodation is generally advertised
through local advertisers and in classified
sections, such as Loot and Gumtree.
Useful websites
Renting private properties
www.rightmove.co.uk
www.primelocation.co.uk
www.findaproperty.com
www.londonrenting.co.uk
www.zoopla.co.uk
Flat shares and house shares
www.gumtree.com
www.spareroom.co.uk
www.flatmaterooms.co.uk/
greater-london
Top Tip: Never give out
bank account details or
agree to transfer money
before viewing the property
and signing the tenancy
agreement.
Bedsits
These are normally single rooms in large
houses. They can be self-contained
with mini kitchens and bathrooms, or
living/sleeping rooms with kitchens and
bathrooms shared with other people.
Shared flats or houses
These are flats or houses where people
live together and share the kitchen, living
room, and bathroom facilities. Groups
of friends often set up flat- and houseshares and may advertise a vacant room
when someone leaves.
Lodgings in a room in someone’s
home
“
I went to many viewings of
rooms where sometimes as
many as 30 people were
looking at the room and
getting interviewed by the
other housemates.
“
Renting a property
It is quite common for people to take
11
Letting agents
Another popular option is to use a local
letting agent in the area in which you
would like to live.
Using a letting agent can be more
expensive. Most agencies will charge
an administration fee. Before deciding
on which agency to use, it is important
to ask about administration charges, as
these are usually fixed. Some agencies
ask for a week’s rent for finding the
accommodation. Others don’t charge
tenants, but charge the landlord.
Before accepting accommodation, or
handing over any money, the UK housing
charity Shelter recommends that you ask
the agency if it charges for:
finding a place
tenancy agreements and
Inventories
collecting the rent
12
renewing your tenancy agreement
when the initial contract ends
administration costs, such as
phone calls and postage.
Shelter also suggests that you should
not pay agency fees before you have
seen a property you like, as there is no
guarantee that the agency will find you
a home. It is illegal for a letting agency
to charge you a fee unless you accept
accommodation from them. They cannot
charge you for taking your details or
giving you a list of addresses.
Useful websites
Letting and classified websites
www.yell.com
www.thompsonlocal.com
www.loot.com
List of questions to ask
landlord or letting agent
when viewing a property
How much is the rent, and how
much of a deposit is needed?
When is rent due? Is it due on
a weekly basis or per calendar
month?
What are the estimated running
costs of the property?
Are any utilities included in the
rent?
Any signs of damp, any major
structural work/damage?
Has the property ever been
burgled or damaged?
Is there a Landlord’s Gas Safety
Record available to view?
Does the landlord have a copy
of the Energy Performance
Certificate (EPC)? If not, what is
the rating?
Things to check when
viewing a property
Are the locks of good quality and
secure?
Do repairs need to be carried out?
Are there any broken items of
furniture?
Check the bathroom(s) and make
sure taps are not leaking. Does
the shower work properly?
Are there carbon monoxide
detectors present?
Are there enough smoke alarms?
Do they work?
Is there an easy means of escape
in the event of a fire?
Is there any visible damp in the
property? If so, what measures
will the landlord take to rectify
this? (Examples of measures
would include damp-proofing, and
providing a dehumidifier.)
If you are looking at a shared
property, is there a landline with
Wi-Fi?
13
General rental price guidelines
In September 2011 a researcher at
the London Irish Centre produced
approximate averages for flat-shares
and one-bedroom flats in East, West,
South, North and Central London using
three popular lettings websites. These
prices are approximations and intended
as rough guidelines only. Furthermore,
it has been suggested that rental prices
have increased by 12% since 20116.
Area
East London
West London
South London
North London
Central London
14
Useful website
For further information on how to
prepare for viewing an apartment,
check out the following link:
www.primelocation.com/guides/
renting/rental-property-viewingchecklist/
Flat-share rental (per month)
1ft 1pt
£450-£700 (single)
€535-773
£500-£700 (double)
€595-€833
£450-£650 (single)
€535-773
£650-£850
€773-€1,011
£350-£450 (single)
€416-€535
£400-£500 (double)
€535-€892
£400-£550 (single)
€476-654
£450-£750 (double)
€535-892
£600-£800 (single)
€714-€952
One-bedroom flat rental (per
month)
£700-£1000+
€714€1,190+
£1,400£1,800+
€1,666€2,142
£800-£1,200
€952€1,428+
£700-£1,400+
€833€1,666+
£1,400£1,800+
€1,666€2,142+
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15
UK average rent
Image reproduced with the permission of www.homelet.co.uk
16
Dealing with your landlord
Once you have found a place to live,
make sure you get a copy of the tenancy
agreement in advance and read it
through carefully. Any questions about
any specific clauses should be raised
with the landlord at this stage. Landlords/
letting agents may ask you for references
from a previous landlord, your employer
and your bank. They may also ask you to
provide a rent guarantor. Non-nationals
can be asked for referees or guarantors
who reside in the UK. It is important
that you think about these things in
advance so that you can be ready to
proceed quickly once you find suitable
accommodation.
Top Tip: Good properties
do not stay on the market in
London for long. If you find
a property you like, you will
need to have your deposit
and documentation in order
so you can proceed ASAP. If
you wait even a few days it
could be gone.
Most landlords/letting agents request one
month’s rent as a deposit. This should
be returned to you when you leave;
however, the landlord can keep all or part
of your deposit if you do not pay the rent,
damage the property, remove things from
the property or do not pay fuel bills.
Do not hand over any money to a
landlord/letting agent without getting a
receipt. Your receipt should state the
amount you have handed over, be clearly
dated, state what the money is for, detail
the address of the property and include
the name/signature of the landlord or
letting agent.
Since 6 April 2007, landlords must
pay any new deposit to a governmentauthorised tenancy deposit scheme
within 14 days of receiving it7. This
means that, rather than the landlord,
the government scheme releases your
deposit upon satisfactory completion of
your tenancy. By law, if you pay a deposit
to your landlord or letting agent then
they must protect it in a governmentauthorised tenancy deposit protection
scheme. It applies to all landlords and
agents in England and Wales who have
an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST)
agreement (the contract) with their tenant
Tenancy agreement
The tenancy agreement is a contract
between you and your landlord, giving
you both certain rights, such as your right
to occupy the accommodation and your
landlord’s right to receive rent for letting
the accommodation. Both you and your
landlord have rights and responsibilities
given by law. It is recommended to
always get a written copy of the tenancy
agreement, as this should provide all
the relevant information related to this.
If you are unsure whether your landlord
is responsible for a certain obligation,
like repairing damages to the property,
organisations such as the London Irish
Centre can provide you with advice. Get
(and keep) your own signed copy of the
tenancy agreement, and check and note
all meter readings on the day you move
17
in. It is also recommended that you take
photographs of problem areas (damp,
leaking taps, etc) the day you move in.
Top Tip: Take a record of
any damage in the property
the first day you move in.
This may be helpful when
you are finished your
tenancy.
Council Tax
Once you have found your property,
council tax can be a considerable
expense when living in London. The
Valuation Office Agency website www.
voa.gov.uk contains information on how
much council tax you have to pay within
each London borough.
Before agreeing to rent a property,
make sure that you fully understand
whether you are responsible for paying
council tax. If there is a written tenancy
agreement, it should state whether the
landlord or tenant is responsible for
paying council tax.
If your council tax evaluation appears
to be high compared to other similar
apartments or houses on your street, it is
possible to get this reviewed.
Further information can be found on the
DirectGov website: www.direct.gov.uk
Social Housing
At the moment, the waiting list for
social housing in London is extremely
long, as London and the South East of
England are facing a housing crisis. The
18
pressure on the government to provide
accommodation means that they often
will not consider demands from recent
immigrants, unless your conditions are
very severe. You will have to prove
that you are currently legally classed
as homeless, eligible for assistance,
in priority need and not intentionally
homeless8.
In some cases, if someone leaves
accommodation that is available to them
in Ireland in the hope of accessing social
housing in the UK, they will invariably
be deemed intentionally homeless and
therefore not eligible for assistance.
You will also have to be particularly
vulnerable to qualify. Each borough
council has a housing allocation policy,
which details how they allocate social
housing.
In deciding whether you have a local
connection with its area the council has
to look at whether you (or anyone in your
household):
have lived in the area and for how
long
have family connections in the
area
work in the area
have a connection with the area
for another special reason
Advice services will have experience
dealing with local authorities on these
issues, so it’s a good idea to contact an
advice service, such as the London Irish
Centre if you are seeking social housing.
What to do if you
are in a crisis
19
Homelessness
If you are homeless or about to become
homeless in London, the best thing to
do is to get advice as soon as possible.
Organisations like the London Irish
Centre and Citizens Advice Bureau will
be able to advise you, but again, be
aware that in most cases local authorities
will not have any obligation to find you
housing, and social housing in London is
over subscribed.
If you should come to London and
find yourself homeless (or likely to be
homeless within 28 days), you may, in
very unique circumstances, be able to
get help from a London local authority.
As mentioned previously, this would only
be in extreme cases.
The assistance they may provide will
depend on your personal circumstances.
Unless you are a resident in a borough
for 6 months or more, local authorities
may not be obliging in providing you with
information about accommodation. If you
have a local connection, they must, at
least, provide you with information.
20
“
I thought I’d arrive and get
a job, but my friend messed
me around… I got mugged
and all my money was
taken, but going home was
not an option - I’d moved
to London to start a new
life.
“
Moving to a new city can be difficult. It
can take longer than you might expect
to find employment and accommodation,
and London can be an expensive city.
If you find yourself homeless or in real
financial difficulty, there are a number of
services available to you. This section
explains your options.
Useful numbers
Shelter’s Free Housing Advice
Helpline
0808 800 4444 (Free phone)
The London Irish Centre’s Free
Information Helpline
020 7916 2222
Useful websites
www.homelesslondon.org
www.homeless.org.uk
www.thepavement.org.uk/
services.php
Hostels and night shelters
There are a variety of different types of
hostels run by voluntary organisations,
housing associations, councils, and
private landlords. You can get details
of hostels in your area from an advice
centre, the council or your local library.
Accessing homeless hostels is not a
straight-forward process; most hostels
in London will not accept you if you
approach them directly. You will need to
go to an advice service or local authority
in order to be referred to these shelters.
Most hostels only accept people who
have a “support need”, i.e. mental health
problem, domestic violence, substance
misuse etc.
Top Tip: Hostels will often
only accept people referred
by other organisations. If
you are referred, make sure
you get there as early as
possible. If you arrive in the
evening all the beds may be
gone.
Hostel websites
www.hostelworld.com/London
www.hostelbookers.com/
LondonHostels
www.astorhostels.co.uk
Cold weather shelters
These operate in some areas, such
as Camden and Islington, between
December and March and are usually
free. They are typically very basic – you
get a bed and sometimes food. You
need to be referred to these shelters via
organisations such as the London Irish
Centre.
Bed and Breakfasts
Bed and breakfast hotels are privately
run hotels. They tend to be more
expensive than hostels. You will
need money for rent in advance. The
conditions and services, such as room
cleaning, may be poor and there may be
no cooking facilities. You might not be
allowed to stay in your room during the
day. Some bed and breakfasts do not
accept people claiming housing benefit.
Local advice centres may list bed and
breakfast accommodation in their area.
They are also listed in the Yellow Pages.
21
Backpacker’s Hostels
Some larger towns have backpacker
hostels, which may let you pay for one
night at a time. You probably won’t be
able to stay in the hostel during the day.
You may have to share bathroom and
cooking facilities, and will probably have
to share a room. However, the rents may
be cheaper than for bed and breakfast
hotels.
Women’s Refuge
Women who have to leave home
because of violence or threats may find
a place at a women’s refuge. These
are usually ordinary houses shared by
women and children. There are refuges
all over the country, so if you don’t feel
safe in your own area you can be placed
in one that is a distance from your home.
The address is kept secret to protect
women from violent partners. The refuge
staff can help you to claim benefits
and find longer-term housing. Ring the
national domestic violence helpline on
0808 200 0247 for information.
22
Day Service
Day centres provide homeless people
and rough sleepers with shelter during
the day, along with advice, food,
showers, laundry and other services.
Again, advice workers will be able to
recommend day centres where you will
be able to get some food and a shower,
and if there are winter shelters they may
be able to refer you.
Financial crisis
If you find yourself in a financial crisis
where you do not have enough money
to survive, there are a number of options
available to you. The Department of
Work and Pensions offers a number of
schemes to help those in crisis.
Community care grants
A Community Care Grant is a nonrepayable payment awarded for
the purpose of meeting a need for
community care. Grants may be
awarded to people who are leaving
accommodation in which they received
care, to help people to continue to live
in the community, or to help people on a
resettlement programme to set up home.
Grants can also be awarded to help ease
exceptional pressures on families, to
care for a prisoner or young offender on
release on temporary licence, or to help
with certain travel costs.
They are available to people getting
Income Support, income-based
Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment
and Support Allowance (income-related),
Pension Credit or payment on account of
one of them.
improve the home, clothing and footwear,
travelling expenses and certain debts.
They are available to people getting
income support, income-based
Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment
and Support Allowance (income-related),
Pension Credit, or payment on account
of one of them for at least 26 weeks.
Budgeting loans have to be repaid.
You can apply at your local Jobcentre
Plus.
Community care grants
A crisis loan may be available to anyone
aged 16 or over, whether or not they get
any benefit, who needs help to meet
expenses in an emergency or because of
a disaster. A loan must be the only way
of preventing serious damage or risk to
the health or safety of the person or their
family. Crisis loans are interest-free but
have to be repaid.
To apply for a crisis loan, call Jobcentre
Plus on 0800 032 7952.
You can apply at your local Jobcentre
Plus.
Budgeting loans
A budgeting loan is an interest-free
loan intended to help spread the cost
of certain one-off expenses over a
longer period. A budgeting loan can
help towards the cost of various items,
for example, things needed for or to
23
Managing your money
Some useful information
London is an expensive city. For
example, in a recent cost of living survey,
London was found to be the 17th most
expense city in the world. Dublin came
in at number 42 and Belfast at 1429.
Although some things may be less
expensive than in other cities in Europe,
housing and travel costs are among the
highest in Europe.
The Financial Service
Authority (FSA), the UK’s
financial services regulator,
is responsible for many
aspects of your bank’s
business with you
www.fsas.gov.uk
As it’s London, it was very
expensive and many places
needed more than one
month’s rent as a deposit
as well as the month’s
rent itself, so you need to
be very financially secure
before you move!
“
Cost of living
Most banks in the UK ask for
proof of identity and proof of
address in order to set up a
bank account.
Basic living costs (“low cost but acceptable” budget) for typical families without
children living in London (£ per week)
“
“
“
The Greater London
Authority states a wage
earner paid less than about
£7.25 an hour will be living in
poverty10.
Between rent and generally
living in London, my
professional salary does not
add up and it is a constant
battle.
Couple with no children
Single no children
2ft
1ft 1pt
2 pt
1ft
1pt
ft
pt
Shopping
basket costs
125.88
125.88
125.88
125.88
125.88
97.86
97.86
Housing
167.00
167.00
167.00
167.00
167.00
94.00
94.00
Council tax
25.16
25.16
25.16
25.16
25.16
18.87
18.87
Total
transport
costs
57.09
57.09
57.09
28.55
28.55
28.55
28.55
Childcare
costs
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
375.13
375.13
375.13
346.59
346.59
239.27
239.27
Total costs
24
According to the Greater London
Authority Living Wage department a
full-time (ft) employee in London with no
children would need to earn £375.13 per
week in order to maintain a ‘low cost but
acceptable’ standard of living11.
Basic living costs (“low cost but acceptable” budget) for typical families with
children living in London (£ per week)
Couple with children
Lone parent
2ft
1ft 1pt
2 pt
1ft
1pt
ft
pt
Shopping
basket costs
209.80
209.80
209.80
209.80
209.80
158.88
158.88
Housing
101.54
101.54
101.54
101.54
101.54
101.54
101.54
Council tax
25.16
25.16
25.16
25.16
25.16
18.87
18.87
Total
transport
costs
57.09
57.09
57.09
28.55
28.55
28.55
28.55
Childcare
costs
240.69
115.89
115.89
0.00
0.00
240.69
115.89
Total costs
634.28
509.48
509.48
365.05
365.05
548.52
423.72
According the Greater London Authority
Living Wage department a full-time (ft)
employee in London with children would
need to earn £548.52 per week in to
maintain a ‘low cost but acceptable’
standard of living12.
Cost of basic living items
Cinema (adult ticket)
£9 - £12
West End theatre
£20-£70
Club/pub entry
£5-£20
Live music/concerts
£9-£50+
Chart CDs (including online)
£5-£12
Newspaper
£1
Pint of milk
£0.60
Pub meal
£6-£15
Restaurant meal
£30-£50+
Pint of beer
£2.50-£3.50
Bottle of wine
£5-£15
25
In 2011, Mercer conducted a survey of
over 214 cities across five continents
measuring the cost of over 200 items
in each location, including housing,
transport, food, clothing, household
goods and entertainment. The following
table provides some information on five
of the cities survey, including London. All
prices are in GB pounds.
“
One of the most difficult
things is the cost of living…
I cannot engage fully with
the social and cultural side
of London as all my money
goes on basic living needs.
“
Cost of living compared
Expenditure £
London
Dublin
Paris
Rome
Amsterdam
Berlin
Rent of a
luxury two
bedroom
unfurnished
apartment
(p/m)
2500
1050.83
1929.52
1576.25
1050.83
1050.83
Cinema,
international
release, 1
seat
10.8
9.2
8.67
6.57
8.76
7
Music CD
14.99
14.01
14.01
19.18
15.75
13.13
1 issue of
international
daily
newspaper
1.8
2.28
2.63
2.19
2.19
2.63
1 cup of
coffee, inc.
service
2.3
2.63
3.5
2.36
2.63
3.5
Fast food
hamburger
meal
3.97
6.26
5.17
5.17
5.12
4.81
Milk,
pasteurised
whole milk
0.76
0.85
1.18
1.44
0.87
0.83
Spaghetti,
pasta
(1000gr)
2.38
2.78
1.73
1.44
1.91
2.78
26
This booklet was designed by...
27
Working in London
28
Like most other regions London has
suffered as a result of the global
recession. The employment market
in London is very competitive.
Qualifications, experience and attitude
will all impact on your ability to find work.
This section gives some information
specific to different employment sectors.
It also provides advice from established
Irish professionals working in each
sector.
Some useful facts
In the capital, the
service sector (including
finance, catering and
teaching) accounts for
85% of employment, with
manufacturing employing
only 6%13.
Youth unemployment is
currently very high with one
in five 16 to 24-year-olds
(965,000 people) without a
job14.
Obtaining a National Insurance
Number
Top Tip: To obtain a
National Insurance number
after arriving in the UK,
you need to telephone
the Jobcentre Plus on
0845 6000 643. For
more information on how
to get your NI number,
visit www.direct.gov.uk/
nationalinsurance.
The areas of London with
the highest density of job
vacancies are Camden,
the City of London, and
Westminster15.
Jobcentre Plus will then arrange an
‘Evidence of Identity’ interview for you or,
in rare circumstances, send you a postal
application. They will advise you of the
date, time and location of your interview
and what information/documentation you
need to support your application.
“
My advice would be to
do lots of research online
before you move. You
can start sending your CV
to companies before you
move and try to arrange
some interviews. If nothing
else this will give you an
idea of what the market is
like.
“
Within the United Kingdom, in order to
work, claim benefits/tax credits or apply
for student loans, it is essential to have a
National Insurance number.
Your National Insurance number is your
own personal account number. It is
unique to you and you keep the same
one all your life. It makes sure that the
National Insurance contributions and tax
you pay are properly recorded against
your name. It also acts as a reference
number when communicating with the
Department of Work and Pensions and
HM Revenue & Customs.
29
What to expect at the ‘Evidence of
Identity’ interview
This interview is normally one-to-one,
with exceptions if an interpreter is
needed. You will be questioned on your
background, circumstances and why you
need a National Insurance number.
At your interview, it will be necessary for
you to prove your identity. Take as many
original identity documents as you can,
such as:
valid passport (UK or foreign)
national identity card (UK or
foreign)
residence permit or residence
card, including biometric
immigration residency documents
full birth or adoption certificate
full marriage or civil partnership
certificate
contact you, letting you know whether
your application was successful and, if it
was, giving you your National Insurance
number.
Let your employer know your National
Insurance number as soon as you
receive it. A National Insurance number
card should be given to you once you
have your number, although it may
get delivered up to 12 weeks after
your application. However, this card
is not essential to start work; the most
important piece of information you will
need is the actual number.
Finding employment
London has a huge pool of candidates.
Some people find work the day they get
off the plane, but others are not as lucky.
Stay patient and have a plan B ready.
If you intend to move from Ireland, we
recommend, where possible, starting
your job search before relocating.
Trades and construction
driving licence (UK or foreign)
If you do not have identity documents,
you must still go to the interview. The
information you provide might be enough
to prove your identity.
During the interview you will be asked
to sign a National Insurance number
application form.
What happens next?
Additional information may be asked of
you after the interview. Once everything
has been completed, Jobcentre Plus will
30
To work on a site in the UK you will need
a site safety pass or CSCS card
(see www.cscs.uk.com).
You do not need this for residential work.
These cost approximately £30. If you are
a qualified tradesperson, you may need
“
The big sites require
certificates of courses
taken - if you can get H&S
cards or permits working at
heights etc., all the better.
If you do not have a driving
licence, try to get it before
you leave home. If you have
a trade, get the certificate
and ensure it is recognised
in the UK.
(CEO Construction Firm)
“
Useful websites
www.london2012.com
The official site of the 2012
Olympics.
www.jobseekers.direct.gov.uk
Jobcentre Plus has one of Britain’s
largest databases of job vacancies
www.tfl.gov.uk
Transport for London has been a
big employer of tradespeople and
construction workers.
Education and social care
If you are working with young people
or vulnerable adults, you will need to
complete a Criminal Records Bureau
(CRB) check. This can take up to five
weeks and you will not be allowed to
start work without it.
Recruitment agencies that recruit
teachers, social workers, youth workers
and community workers will be able to
help you apply for a CRB.
Some positions in this sector, especially
permanent roles, will require a full
application form. The more thorough
you are in completing the application the
better your chances.
“
Look into the differences
between professional
qualifications in Ireland and
the UK. For example, where
I work you need to have
PETALS (People Exploring
Teaching and Learning
Styles).
“
to get a specialist CSCS card, e.g.
electricians need an ECS card.
(Community Education
Manager)
www.jobsite.co.uk
A good generalist recruitment site,
with a large number of jobs in
trades and construction.
www.gumtree.com
This is the largest website for
classified ads in London. The
construction sector of this website
is good for freelance work and
short-term contracts.
31
Useful websites
Useful websites
www.morganhunt.com
A larger agency based in several
locations, providing posts in social
care, education, teaching, training
and many more areas.
www.badenochandclark.com
Specialises in accounting and
finance, banking and financial
services, HR, project management
and IT.
www.guardian.co.uk
Has an online directory of higher
level and permanent posts in a
range of different fields.
www.joslinrowe.com
This is “the UK’s leading
recruitment agency, providing
a wide range of UK finance,
accountancy and banking jobs for
the country’s top employers”.
www.tes.co.uk
The Times educational
supplement. This site has the
largest amount of teaching
positions in the UK.
Finance, accountancy and
banking
Finance and banking is one of the most
important activities in London, and is
based in two districts: the City and the
Docklands, which are home to over 500
global financial institutions. In 2008,
financial services made up 19.5% of
London’s economy16.
Employers/agencies in this sector often
check social media profiles such as
LinkedIn. This can be a good way to
build your profile.
Hours in this sector tend to be long, but
employers offer competitive salaries;
employers also offer good training and
career development.
32
www.morganmckinley.co.uk
A global professional recruitment
consultancy specialising in London
“
I would advise people
to look for work from
Ireland first and try to
have as many interviews as
possible lined up. Financial
markets are volatile and
most financial firms both
investment houses and
asset managers are cutting
costs so it’s not easy to pick
up work right now.
“
www.chambeau.com
Chamberlain Beaumont is a
specialist provider of welfare to
work, vocational learning & HR
professionals
(Fixed Income Manager)
Information technology
The finance sector is the largest
employer of IT staff in London. The area
of Old Street is home to an estimated
500 digital businesses and contributes
£66.4 billion annually to the UK
economy17.
Useful websites
www.jobserve.com
the largest UK jobsite, with
plenty of IT jobs and sub-sites for
other sectors. A large variety of
agencies use this service.
http://uk.linkedin.com
is useful for job searching and
networking with people. It is
used by companies to look for
candidates. A lot of technology
companies advertise for positions
on LinkedIn.
“
A lot of the good jobs never
make it onto a recruitment
website or newspaper
they get filled by word of
mouth. Go back to those
worthwhile contacts- old
school, college friends,
distant family, old
colleagues etc you never
know what could be round
the corner. Make sure you
always have a copy of your
CV up to date and ready to
go.
recruitment procedures.
Catering recruitment agencies offer
personnel to other companies, events
etc. If you are a member of an agency,
you will get offered freelance, one-off
work. You are usually given training.
Useful websites
www.offtowork.co.uk
one of London’s most successful
hospital recruitment and training
agencies
www.caterer.com
search engine for 1000s of jobs in
hospitality.
www.retailchoice.com
this site provides job listings
specifically in retail, from
management positions to sales
assistants
(IT Manager)
“
Retail, hospitality and catering
Some employers choose to post job
offers on online recruitment sites. For
these you will sometimes be requested
to complete a detailed application
form. Other ways of applying online are
through the larger recruitment agencies’
websites (sites such as www.reed.co.uk)
Chain stores will usually have online
33
Recruitment websites
www.reed.co.uk
the UK’s no. 1 jobsite; thousands
of job offers to be found in all
major industries.
www.agencycentral.co.uk
this website provides a list of job
sites and recruitment agencies in
the hospitality and retail, among
many more.
www.monster.co.uk
the UK arm of the large US jobsite
www.direct.gov.uk/en/
Employment/Jobseekers
The Job Centre Plus vacancy
database
www.1st4jobsinlondon.co.uk
a list of agencies and available
roles based in the capital
www.agencycentral.co.uk
uinformation on all recruitment
agencies in London.
34
Minimum wage in the UK
There are different levels of National
Minimum Wage in the UK, depending
on your age and whether you are an
apprentice. The current rates (from 1
October 2011) are:
£6.08 - the main rate for workers
aged 21 and over
£4.98 - the 18-20 rate
£3.68 - the 16-17 rate for workers
above school leaving age but
under 18
£2.60 - the apprentice rate, for
apprentices under 19 or those
19 or over and in the first year of
their apprenticeship
Top Tip: If you have
a question about your
employment rights in the UK
contact
https://payandworkrights.
direct.gov.uk/ or www.acac.
co.uk
Salary guides
Calculating what you will need to earn
to get by in London can be difficult.
Housing is the most substantial cost and
is often more expensive than in other
comparable cities in Europe.
In 2011 the median gross weekly
earnings for full-time employees in
London was £65118.
Some useful facts
In January 2011, 4% of the
working age population of
London claimed Jobseeker’s
Allowance, compared to
5.1% in Northern Ireland19.
The average amount of time
taken to process new claims
is 22 days20.
Salary guide websites
www.reedglobal.com/__assets/
asset491.pdf
www.paywizard.co.uk/main/
londonpaywizard
www.payscale.com/wizards/
choose.asp
“
“
A big difference seems
to be lower wages and
significantly lower minimum
wage..
35
Claiming benefits
36
Claiming benefits
The United Kingdom has a complex
system of benefits. However, only some
are available to new arrivals, and it is
important that you are well informed on
which benefits may be available to you
and under which conditions.
In the UK you are entitled to be treated
in the same way as English nationals
concerning social services, meaning
that you are permitted to apply for any of
the benefits available to British citizens.
However, this does not mean that you
will automatically get benefits, and it is
essential for you to be aware that you
may not qualify for them after arriving in
the United Kingdom. Some of the welfare
payments you received in Ireland, such
as State Pension, may be transferred to
your bank account in the UK.
Organisations such as the London Irish
Centre and Irish Advice and Information
Service can help with this. The United
Kingdom, like the Republic of Ireland,
has a complex system of benefits. The
DirectGov website provides all the
relevant information on how to apply for
benefits and what types of benefits are
available in the United Kingdom.
For advice and guidance, call the
Jobcentre Plus line on 0800 055 6688.
It is essential to be aware that you may
not qualify for all benefits when arriving
in the United Kingdom.
Jobseeker’s allowance
One of the most commonly claimed
benefits is Jobseekers Allowance.
To get Jobseeker’s Allowance you must
be:
Available for, capable to and
actively seeking work
Aged 18 or over but below State
Pension age
Working less than 16 hours per
week on average in Great Britain
In 2011 the maximum a single person
aged between 16-24 years of age would
be eligible for is £53.45 (€60) per week,
and if you’re over 25 the maximum
amount payable is £67.50 (€76)21.
It is important to be aware that the
amount of benefit payable in the United
Kingdom for certain benefits will be
significantly lower than the amount
payable in the Republic of Ireland.
Housing and council tax benefits
Once you have made the move to
London, if you are in need of financial
help to pay your rent or council tax, you
will need to contact your Local Authority
Benefits Service. They will deal with all
aspects of your claim including assisting
you with filling in claim forms, advising
you on what information/proofs are
required, what entitlement to benefit
you may have or do have and how your
benefit is going to be paid. Organisations
like the London Irish Centre can help you
with this.
37
If you pay rent to a Housing Association,
private landlord or letting agent you can
claim Housing Benefit. If you are the
person named on the council tax bill
for your home you can claim Council
Tax Benefit. As long as you pay rent
or council tax and you are on benefits
such as Jobseeker’s Allowance or a low
income you can make a claim, even if
you are employed, self-employed, sick
or disabled, a pensioner, single or with
children, out of work or looking for work.
Both benefits are assessed based on
either the benefit you are receiving, your
income, savings, age, the amount of rent
or council tax that you pay, the size and
age of your family and the contribution
made by any lodgers or other adults in
your household.
If you think that you might be entitled,
you should claim as soon as possible.
Housing benefit can only be paid from
the Monday after the date you tell the
housing benefit department that you wish
to make a claim.
You may be able to get your benefit
back-dated if you think that you might
have been entitled for a past period and
you have a good reason for not having
claimed earlier (e.g. because you were
ill). Time limits apply, so don’t delay
looking into this.
Back-dating entitlement can be
considered if requested in writing for a
maximum of six months for all claimants
under the age of 60. In order to qualify
they must be able to show continuous
good cause of failure to make a claim
at the appropriate time. When a claim
38
is made from a person over the age
of 60, in most circumstances a threemonth back-date is done automatically.
Again, organisations like the London Irish
Centre can help you with this.
You will always be asked to provide proof
of your identity, income, rent and savings
and provide original documents.
Entitlement to Housing Benefit/Council
Tax Benefit can never be guaranteed.
Useful websites
www.direct.gov.uk
All you need to know about
benefits, including Housing Benefit
in the UK
Organisations that
can help with benefits
www.londonirishcentre.org
www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/
get_advice.htm
www.irishadvice.org.uk
Setting up a bank
account in the UK
39
In order to open an account at a bank,
building society or credit union you will
need to verify both your identity and
address. Different types of accounts
available include:
Current Accounts: A current account is
offered by most banks and allows you to
pay money in and take it out. You can set
up direct debits or standing orders to pay
rent, utilities and other bills and arrange
for your pay or benefits to be paid into it.
You will often receive a debit card and a
cheque book when you open a current
account. You may also be offered an
overdraft facility.
Basic Bank Accounts: A basic bank
account provides the same facilities as a
current account but without an overdraft
facility or cheque book. Some basic bank
accounts offer debit cards (such as solo
or electron) while others offer a simple
cash machine card.
Credit Union Accounts: Credit unions
are financial cooperatives owned and
controlled by their members. They offer
savings and loans at fair rates of interest
and are local, ethical and operate in their
members’ interest. Some credit unions
also offer current accounts with similar
features to those offered by banks and
building societies.
Different banks, building societies
and credit unions will all offer different
products and services with a range of
different features. It is important to find
out which product and institution is most
suitable for you and your needs.
40
Why open a bank account?
Bank accounts are an easy and secure
way to manage your money and keep
it safe. Many utility providers offer
discounts if you pay your gas, electricity
and other bills by direct debit from
a bank account, and receiving your
income (wage or benefit) directly into
your bank is often much easier than
receiving a cheque. A bank account also
helps you keep track of how much you
are spending through sending regular
statements, the use of telephone or
internet banking facilities and allowing
you to check your balance at ATMs.
ID for bank accounts
Banks, building societies and credit
unions operate within guidelines issued
by the Joint Money Laundering Steering
Group on the forms of ID they can
accept. There are no absolute rules.
Different banks accept different forms of
ID for opening an account and these do
change over time; you should be able
to get specific further information about
acceptable documents from individual
banks.
Some banks are now recognising the
difficulties migrants face in trying to open
up an account. For example, if you’re an
existing HSBC customer, you can use
HSBC International Banking Centre in
your home country to open a UK bank
account before you move. HSBC also
offer a Passport Bank Account, for which
you’ll only need a valid passport or ID
card, plus proof of your non-UK address,
although there may be fees for such
accounts.
Accessing Healthcare
Useful websites
41
The NHS provides the majority of
healthcare in England, including
primary care, in-patient care, long-term
healthcare, ophthalmology and dentistry.
Whether or not you can get free NHS
treatment depends on your country of
residence, not your citizenship. This
means that as long as you are living
in London you will receive the same
healthcare service as any other UK
national.
The amount of NHS charges will
depend on when the incident or injury
occurred. The charges will relate to
either treatment provided with admission
to hospital or treatment provided without
admission to hospital, but not both. Most
standard GP visits are free of charge,
but as of April 2011 there is a charge for
prescriptions22.
Registering with a GP
Once you’ve settled in to an area,
you should start thinking about what
healthcare services you may need as
a permanent resident in London. It’s a
good idea to start by finding a local GP.
If you fail to register soon after arrival
and need the services of a GP later,
you will not be able to access a GP very
quickly, as you will have to wait until the
registration process is finalised.
Your local GP surgery provides a wide
range of family health services, including:
Useful websites
www.nhs.uk
General NHS website
www.london.nhs.uk
NHS London
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
(0845 4647)
Round-the-clock clinical
information and advice
www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories
Find a health service near you
www.patient.co.uk
Comprehensive information on
health services in the UK
“
“
National Health Service
I have been to see the GP
over here twice… I found it
really strange that I didn’t
need to pay.
Your local GP provides:
advice on health problems
vaccinations
examinations and treatment
prescriptions for medicines
referrals to other health services
and social services
Your surgery should be able to offer you
an appointment to see a GP or other
healthcare professional quickly
42
if necessary. However, if it is more
convenient, you should also be able to
book appointments in advance.
To register with a GP, you must first
contact the practice and ask to register
with them. When choosing your practice,
first check that it covers the area you’re
living in. You can find a practice near you
using the NHS Service Directory.
Some GP practices will also ask to see
proof of your identity, for example:
photo identity, such as your
passport or driving licence; proof
of your address, such as a recent
utility bill (gas, electricity, water or
phone bill, but not a mobile phone
bill) or council tax bill.
Further information on how to register
can be found on the NHS Direct website
or at your local GP office.
NHS medical card
The GP practice may ask you for your
NHS medical card or your NHS number.
However, you don’t need either of these
to register with a GP or to get NHS
treatment.
When you register with a GP some
centres will send you a new NHS
medical card, but not all health centres
issue medical cards and some will only
do so on request.
Can I register with a specific GP?
You will be registered with a GP practice
rather than an individual GP.
If you prefer to see a specific GP, the
practice can note this in your records.
However, you may have to:
wait longer to see your preferred
GP, or see someone else if your
preferred GP is unavailable.
Health checks
When you register with a new GP
practice, you’ll be invited to make an
appointment for a health check within six
months.
Health checks are usually done by the
practice nurse, who will ask you about
your personal and family medical history.
They will also ensure that any tests or
checks you need are up to date, such
as measuring your blood pressure or
arranging cervical screening.
What if the practice doesn’t accept
me?
Even if you can prove that you are living
in the UK, a GP or dentist has the right
to choose whether or not to accept you
onto their list of NHS patients if you are
not a British citizen.
Some reasons for not being able to
register with a GP practice are if:
43
the practice is not accepting new
patients;
difficulty in finding a GP practice.
If you have difficulty finding a GP or
registering with one, your local Primary
Care Trust can help.
You can find your Primary Care Trust
(PCT) by using; the NHS Choices’
services directory or the phone
book, under Health Services, in the
A-Z listing of local businesses and
services.You can also get assistance by
calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
Emergencies
A&E departments assess and treat
patients with serious injuries or illnesses.
Generally, you should visit A&E or call
999 for life-threatening emergencies,
such as:
loss of consciousness,
acute confused state and fits that
are not stopping,
persistent, severe chest pain,
breathing difficulties,
severe bleeding that cannot be
stopped.
If an ambulance is needed, call 999, the
44
emergency phone number in the UK.
Major A&E departments offer access
24 hours a day, 365 days a year,
although not all hospitals have an A&E
department. At A&E a doctor or nurse
will assess your condition and decide on
further action.
If it is not an immediate emergency, call
NHS Direct on 0845 4647. This service
is available 24 hours a day, seven days
a week, and can provide medical advice
and advise you on the best local service
to offer the care you need.
Less severe injuries can be treated in
minor injuries services and NHS walk-in
centres, which can treat patients without
an appointment.
For illnesses that are not life-threatening,
you should first contact your GP surgery.
Outside of normal surgery hours you can
still phone your GP, but you will usually
be directed to an out-of-hours service.
The out-of-hours period is from 6.30pm
to 8am on weekdays, and all day at
weekends and on bank holidays. During
out-of-hours periods you can also call
NHS Direct.
“
I have found the NHS
excellent. It did take me
a while to get around to
registering, but the NHS
walk-in centres were always
available and I have found
the staff excellent.
Walk-in centres
“
you live outside the area that
the practice covers;
NHS walk-in centres offer handy access
to a range of treatments. Walk-in centres
are managed by primary care trusts
(PCTs).
infection and rashes,
fractures and lacerations,
emergency contraception and
advice
stomach upsets,
cuts and bruises, and burns and
strains.
NHS walk-in centres are usually
managed by a nurse and are available
to everyone. Patients do not need an
appointment. Most centres are open 365
days a year and outside office hours.
“
The concrete jungle-ness of
it would get you down…
and the loneliness. It’s really
hard to make friends and
to have a life outside of
college and the home.
“
Emotional and mental health
Moving to a new city can be stressful.
Some of the individuals we spoke to said
they found it difficult to make friends in
London, and others said that they did not
plan their move very well, which caused
them stress. It is very important that you
spend time planning your move so that
you do not encounter this type of stress.
There are a range of services available
through the NHS should you experience
any stress or anxiety during the course
of your move to London. Organisations
like Immigrant Counselling and
Psychotherapy (Icap) have a proven
track record of helping Irish people in
emotional distress who are experiencing
depression, anxiety or stress. We
recommend that you contact Icap as
soon as you begin to experience any
form of stress or anxiety.
Immigrant Counselling and
Psychotherapy
0207 272 7906
www.icap.org.uk
“
“
These centres deal with minor illnesses
and injuries, including:
The move definitely made
me drink more. I get
worried about it; it’s not all
parties down by Big Ben.
Make the most of your
doctor’s appointment
Tests, such as blood tests or
scans:
What are the tests for?
How and when will I get the
results?
Who do I contact if I don’t get the
results?
Treatment:
Are there other ways to treat my
condition?
What do you recommend?
Are there any side effects or risks?
How long will I need treatment for?
45
How will I know if the treatment is
working?
How effective is this treatment?
What will happen if I don’t have any
treatment?
Is there anything I should stop or
avoid doing?
Is there anything I can do to help
myself?
What next?
What happens next?
Do I need to come back and see
you?
Who do I contact if things get worse?
Do you have any written information?
Where can I go for more information?
Is there a support group or any other
source of help?
Before your appointment:
Write down your two or three most
important questions.
List or bring all your medicines
and pills – including vitamins and
supplements.
Write down details of your symptoms,
including when they started and what
makes them better or worse.
Ask your hospital or surgery for an
interpreter or communication support
if needed.
Ask a friend or family member to
come with you, if you like.
During your appointment:
Don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t
understand. For example, ‘Can
you say that again? I still don’t
understand.’
If you don’t understand particular
46
words, ask for them to be written
down and explained.
Write things down, or ask a family
member or friend to take notes.
Before you leave your
appointment:
Check that...
You’ve covered everything on your
list
You understand, for example ‘Can
I just check I understood what you
said?’
You know what should happen next –
and when. Write it down.
Ask...
who to contact if you have any more
problems or questions;
about support groups and where to
go for reliable
information, and;
for copies of letters written about you
– you are entitled to see these.
After your appointment, don’t
forget the following:
Write down what you discussed and
what happens next. Keep your notes.
Book any tests that you can and put
the dates in your diary.
Ask...
‘What’s happening if I’m not sent my
appointment details?’ and
‘Can I have the results of any tests?’
If you don’t get the results when you
expect – ask for them. Ask what the
results mean.
Education
47
Education in England is overseen
by the Department for Education
and the Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills. The education
system is divided into nursery (ages
3-4), primary education (ages 4-11),
secondary education (ages 11-18) and
tertiary education (ages 18+). Full-time
education is compulsory for all children
aged between five and 16, with a child
beginning primary education during the
school year they turn five.
Students may then continue their
secondary studies for a further two
years (sixth form), leading most typically
to A-level qualifications, although
other qualifications and courses exist,
including Business and Technology
Education Council (BTEC) qualifications,
and International Baccalaureate (IB).
Early years education
All three- and four-year-olds are entitled
to 15 hours of free nursery education for
38 weeks of the year. This applies until
they reach compulsory school age (the
term following their fifth birthday). Free
48
early education places are available at
a range of early years settings including
nursery schools and classes, children’s
centres, day nurseries, play groups, preschool and child minders.
Early learning is available
through:
nursery classes, nursery schools
and day nurseries,
Sure Start Children’s Centres,
pre-school playgroups,
reception classes,
accredited childminders who are
part of an approved network.
Top Tip: The National
Association of Family
Information Services
(NAFIS) is a registered
charity that supports, links,
and promotes Family
Information Services (FIS)
in Great Britain. The NAFIS
will be able to advise you
about your entitlements
in relation to child care,
choosing child care, and
what is available in your
area.
www.daycaretrust.org.uk/
nafis
Tel: 0845 872 6260 (020
7940 7510)
In London, the average cost for 25 hours
of nursery care for a child under two is
£118.54, equating to £6,164 per year
(Daycaretrust.org.uk, 2011)23.
Schools
Free state school education is accessible
to all children between the ages of
five and 18. However, the application
process is complex, and you will need to
be organised to ensure that your child is
placed in a safe and comfortable school.
Before making applications, planning
is crucial. You need to establish which
schools you wish to apply to and when
applying you need to establish the
following:
What the admission criteria are,
including the catchment area
When you find out which school
your child has got into
How to appeal if you don’t get a
place at your preferred choice
How local schools’ waiting lists
operate
49
When applying for your child to attend a
particular school, a whole host of factors
are taken into consideration, including
but not limited to geographical location,
banding, sibling policies, religion,
attainments, SEN or medical grounds.
The most popular criterion is geographic
location. Schools will establish a
‘catchment area’ and you need to be
living within the catchment area in order
to attend that school. Therefore, if you
are moving to London with children, it is
very important to think about the local
schooling options when considering
where to live. Sibling policies can be
the greatest challenge to those new to
London or if you’re trying to get your firstborn into a school. For religious schools,
you often need to demonstrate that you
are practising that religion. For instance,
the majority of places in Catholic schools
go to Catholics. First of all, you need
to have your child baptised a Catholic,
and you also need to be attending mass
regularly and be involved in parish life
from when you move to London.
To find schools in your local area, you
can use a postcode search engine
provided on the Directgov website:
http://schoolsfinder.direct.gov.uk.
How to apply
Local authorities coordinate the
admissions process for all types of state
schools, even if the local authority is not
the school’s admission authority. You
may be asked to put down one or more
primary schools, and for secondary
schools you can apply to at least three
schools. Whether you can apply to
more than three secondary schools
will depend on the policy of your local
50
authority. Have a look on your local
authority website.
Further education
Many London institutions offer a variety
of higher and further education courses.
Most of them are not free to over 19 year
olds, but the British government offers
a range of benefit options to students,
depending on your circumstances. The
UK’s Further Education (FE) system
includes the next steps after the
compulsory stage of secondary school
- in short, sixth forms and colleges and offers a range of qualifications
including A-levels, NVQs, vocational and
training courses and apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships involve balancing work
with study and can be a way of entering
a particular occupation or continuing
into Higher Education. They can last
1-4 years. For further information or to
search and apply for apprenticeships,
visit the national apprenticeships
website, www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
All vocational qualifications can be
accessed through a range of learning
providers or through your current job. To
search for courses online you can use
the Next Step course search. A-levels
and certain vocational qualifications
can help you gain entry into university,
provided you meet the individual
requirements for your degree, but they
usually require you to have some form of
prior qualification.
To find institutions offering a range of
courses all over the UK, use the Next
Step online course search at https://
nextstep.direct.gov.uk.
Universities offer foundation degrees,
undergraduate and postgraduate
degrees/diplomas and research degrees.
Historically, all undergraduate education
was mostly state-financed, with a small
student contribution called top-up fees,
however fees of up to £9,000 per annum
will be charged from October 2012.
The Universities and Colleges
Admissions Service (UCAS) is the British
admission service for students applying
to university and college. As nearly all
British higher education institutions are
members of UCAS, all those wishing
to study for undergraduate degrees in
the UK must apply through UCAS. This
applies to all categories of applicants
- regardless of whether qualifying as a
home student (generally British and EU
students) or as an overseas student (find
out more at www.ucas.com).
The UK government gives out loans to
university students that cover tuition and
living costs, not including art foundation
students. These have to be paid back
with interest once you’ve completed your
studies, but only once you are earning
£21,000 a year or more. If you have
not been living in England for the past
three years, you may have to apply for
student finance through your regional
organisations. The DirectGov Student
Finance page for foreign students can
provide you with more information on
how to do this.
Useful websites
www.education.gov.uk
The Department of Education is
responsible for education and
children’s services in the UK.
www.educationuk.org
The official British Council
website for international students
looking for courses or to studying
in Britain.
www.studylondon.ac.uk
Official website for universities in
London
www.london.ac.uk
University of London is the largest
contact teaching university in the
United Kingdom and one of the
largest universities in Europe. It
comprises 19 colleges and 12
institutes.
www.londoncolleges.com
A website for the Association of
Colleges London Region. It was
set up to provide an easy route to
finding out about the opportunities
on offer at London Colleges.
www.educatelondon.co.uk
Course listings, guides and
reviews.
51
Transport in London
52
London transport consists of an
extensive bus system, a tram system in
some less central areas and an intricate
and wide-spread tube network that
includes the Underground, the DLR and
the London Overground. When planning
your journey in London, it is best to first
consult the Transport for London website
to establish the best route and find out
whether there are any planned closures
or any delays.
“
Top Tip: Learn how to use
www.tfl.gov.uk, it is an
essential tool for Londoners.
Learning to use transport
like TfL is really important.
I spend so much time
travelling, I need to know
how things work… If the
tube is down it really affects
my day.
“
Oyster Cards
The most widely used travel pass in
central London is currently the Oyster
card. This is a plastic smartcard that
provides discounted rates and can
be used instead of paper tickets on
London’s buses, tube, trams, DLR,
London Overground and National Rail
Services. You can also use your Oyster
card to get the pay as you go fare on
Thames Clippers boat services by
showing your Oyster card when buying
your ticket.
Then, you are likely to explore the city in
your first week, so the cheapest option
is a weekly travelcard for zones 1 to 4.
This gives you unlimited access to the
travel network.
As soon as you settle in, you can save
money by using an Oyster card, which
you can buy at most tube stations or offlicence cafés. You swipe the card at the
beginning and end of each journey and
the system works out the best rate and
deducts it from your pre-paid balance.
Oyster cards don’t work on all forms of
transport. They will not work on some
national rail services.
Getting your Oyster card
There are many different ways of buying
and adding credit to your Oyster card:
Once you get a UK address you
can use Oyster online: www.tfl.
gov.uk/oyster
Use an Oyster ticket stop
You can use one of the city’s six
centrally located London travel
information centres
You can go to a tube station and
almost all train stations
A £5 returnable deposit is
charged when you obtain an
Oyster card
When you first arrive at the airport, buy
a single tube ticket to your destination.
53
The Tube
The tube is the fastest, easiest and most
tightly-packed way to get from zone to
zone. It has over 270 stations and 400
kilometres of track, of which about 55%
is above ground.
Recently, over one billion passenger
journeys were recorded in a year.
Rush-hour means time to get up close
and personal with your fellow travellers.
However, at any other time of day
it’s a pretty easy ride. Some lines are
faster than others and there are always
upgrades and improvements being made
across the network, so delays and reroutes are common.
How to use The Tube
Make sure you buy a ticket as you will
get fined £20 if you don’t have one.
Remember, even if you can get in at one
station without a ticket, you’ll need one at
the other end.
Once you’ve bought your ticket, you’ll
need to put it through the machine to
54
get through the barriers. If you’re just
starting your journey, the ticket will come
through and you’ll need to pull it from
the top of the machine for the barriers
to open. If you’ve got a single or return
ticket and are at the end of your journey,
the machine will retain the card and the
barriers will open automatically.
All travelcards will be fed back to
you to use again.
Oyster cards have to be touched
on the reader at the start and end
of your journey.
The Underground services
usually run from around 4.30am
to 1am (with shorter services on
weekends). Each station should
list their first and last train times
for the day.
If for some reason your ticket
doesn’t open the barriers or if
you have luggage, there are TfL
attendants to help you. It’s illegal
to buy tickets from ticket touts.
National Rail
National Rail trains depart from key
stations throughout London, taking you
out of London or to areas within London
which the tube doesn’t serve. You can
use your travelcard if you’re within your
zones, or buy an extension before you
start your journey. Main BR terminals
include Waterloo, Paddington, King’s
Cross, Victoria and Charing Cross.
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Buses
London’s bus network has over 8,000
buses and 700 bus routes. Although
buses mostly take longer than the tube,
they cover areas the tube doesn’t serve
and some routes have a 24-hour service.
Night buses run from midnight to 6am
and have the letter ‘N’ before the bus
number.
Bus tickets can be bought with cash
on board most buses. Otherwise,
pre-purchase your ticket from a ticket
machine by the bus stop or from a ticket
retailer. Bus fares are simple – all fares
cost £2.30 (cheaper with an Oyster card
or bus pass). But be warned: evading
fares is taken very seriously. The national
bus and coach system is very good with
most long-distance bus trips leaving
from the Victoria Coach Station, which is
situated near the Victoria Train Station.
www.nationalexpress.com
Black cabs
These vehicles and drivers have a good
reputation. They’re a bit more expensive
than public transport, but can carry five
passengers and are economical if there
are a few of you. The meter is clearly
visible so you can keep watch of your
fare. Unoccupied black cabs have the
yellow light on their roof illuminated. All
cab drivers and cars must be licenced
under strict regulations – they must
display their registration number clearly.
Mini cabs/Private hire operators
These are independent taxi operators
that run throughout London. Make sure
you agree to the fare in advance as
there isn’t a meter. It’s cheaper than a
black cab, but you can’t hail one on the
street – it’s illegal. You have to either
call a licenced operator or go to the
company’s offices. All minicab operators
must be licenced by the Public Carriage
Office and strict regulations have been
introduced to licence all drivers and cars.
To check if a company is licenced, visit
www.tfl .gov.uk/pco.
Cars and driver’s licences
Having your own car in London is an
absolute luxury as it can incur more
hassle and expense than it’s worth.
Renting a car for a weekend can be a
good way to get out and explore the
country. Policies vary with relation to
age restrictions. After you’ve been in the
UK for one year you’ll have to apply to
exchange your driver’s licence for a UK
55
driver’s licence. If you’ve been in the UK
for over a year and are caught driving
without a UK driver’s licence, you are
breaking the law. Use your local post
office to get the application form D1
and send it in with required documents
and payment (about £50) to the DVLA,
Swansea, SA6 7JL. They will require
your current driver’s licence, which
they will send back to the authority that
licensed you. When you return home,
you can regain your original driver’s
licence.
Also see www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers.
Congestion charge
The London congestion charge came
into effect to ‘help get London moving’.
This means that every vehicle that enters
a specified central London boundary
from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
(excluding public holidays) will have to
pay a daily £8 charge.
Cycling
In July 2010, TfL and Barclays Bank
launched a new cycle hire scheme for
Londoners. Anybody with a credit or
debit card can make use of the 400
docking stations, positioned in 9 central
London boroughs. This scheme is mostly
advisable to casual bicycle users looking
to make short journeys. You will firstly
need to pay an access fee before hiring
the bike (£1 for 24 hours, £5 for 7 days).
Access can either be purchased online
(TfL website), by phone (0845 026 3630)
or at the docking station. You will then
be charged a steadily increasing usage
charge depending on the length of your
56
journey. However, the first 30 minutes
of hire are free. You need to be at least
14 to use one of the bikes (on someone
else’s access) and 18 to buy access. You
are also only allowed to hire a bike for
a maximum of 24 hours at a time or you
will be fined a hefty charge of £150.
If you want to be more than just a casual
user, you can become a member of
the scheme and get access to the £45
annual membership, a cheaper option if
you plan to use the bikes regularly.
Another option for keen cyclists is
purchasing a foldable bicycle, which has
the advantage of being allowed on any
London transport. These can come in the
price range of £100-£300+.
Useful websites
Transport for London price
guide
www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14416.
aspx
Tfl all Fares.
www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/tickets/
faresandtickets/farefinder/
current/default.aspx
Tfl fare finder.
New TFL fares from
2 January 2012
Travelcards
Oyster pay as you go
Zone
Cash
Zone 1
only
£4.30
Peak
single
Offpeak
single
Peak
price
cap
Offpeak
price
cap
£2.00
£2.00
£8.40
£7.00
Day
anytime
£8.40
Day
offpeak
7Day
Monthly
Annual
£7.00
£29.20
£112.20
£1,168
Zones 1-2
£4.30
£2.00
£2.00
£8.40
£7.00
£8.40
£7.00
£29.20
£112.20
£1,168
Euston
Zone 2
£4.30
£2.00
£2.00
£8.40
£7.00
£8.40
£7.00
£29.20
£112.20
£1,168
Zones 1-3
£4.30
£3.10
£2.60
£10.60
£7.70
£10.60
£7.70
£34.20
£131.40
£1,368
Euston
Zone 3
£4.30
£2.90
£2.60
£10.60
£7.70
£10.60
£7.70
£34.20
£131.40
£1,368
Zones 1-4
£5.30
£3.60
£2.60
£10.60
£7.70
£10.60
£7.70
£41.80
£160.60
£1,672
Euston
Zone 4
£5.30
£3.30
£2.60
£10.60
£7.70
£10.60
£7.70
£41.80
£160.60
£1,672
Zones 1-5
£5.30
£4.40
£2.90
£15.80
£8.50
£15.80
£8.50
£49.80
£191.30
£1,992
Zone 2
only
£4.30
£1.50
£1.40
£8.40
£7.00
£8.40
£7.00
£22.00
£84.50
£880
Zones 2-3
£4.30
£1.50
£1.40
£10.60
£7.70
£10.60
£7.70
£22.00
£84.50
£880
57
Entertainment
58
London is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and
welcoming city and there is no end to the
opportunities that living here can give
you.
Museums and galleries
London is a culture lover’s paradise.
The city is teeming with hidden jewels
and world-famous galleries and
museums, many of which have free
admission. For fans of art and history
The British Museum is unmissable, with
frequently changing exhibitions ranging
from Picasso to Ancient Egypt on top
of its already fascinating permanent
collections (www.britishmuseum.
org). Other essential visits include the
TATE Modern on the River Thames for
its extraordinary array of contemporary
art (www.tate.org.uk/modern) and
The National Gallery for its equally
impressive range of artwork (www.
nationalgallery.org.uk).
Visit South Kensington and Exhibition
Road and you’ll find the Natural History
Museum (www.nhm.ac.uk), the Science
Museum (www.sciencemuseum.org.
uk) and the Victoria and Albert Museum
(www.vam.ac.uk), all within a few
metres of each other for a day packed
with learning and entertainment.
Festivals and events
Film, design, ice sculpture and mime
- London has a multitude of festivals
taking place throughout the year.
Although these are constantly changing
and being replaced by others, there
are some annual big ones that can’t be
missed.
The Notting Hill carnival (www.
thenottinghillcarnival.com) takes place
every August bank holiday weekend in
the streets of London, W11. This event
welcomes over a million visitors every
year, making it the largest street festival
in Europe. It began in 1964, allowing
the city’s Afro-Caribbean communities
to celebrate their own cultures and
traditions. Each year, the streets are
filled with hundreds of Caribbean food
stalls, steel bands, static sound systems
and amazing floats and performers.
There are quite a few music festivals
that take place annually in the capital,
mainly around summertime. Hyde
Park typically hosts the biggest ones,
along with single concerts. Well-known
summer music fests are Wireless (www.
wirelessfestival.co.uk) and Hard Rock
Calling (www.hardrockcalling.co.uk),
with world-famous performers taking to
the stage every year.
Most religious festivals, as well as many
other regular and one-off events are
celebrated in London’s most famous
public venue: Trafalgar Square. Anyone
can join in the huge festivities held in
honour of Chinese New Year, Christmas,
Eid and of course St. Patrick’s Day.
59
Wimbledon is known throughout the
world as the most prestigious tennis
tournament in the world. The famous
grass courts are located in south west
London and for two weeks each late
June/early July welcome hundreds of
tennis players and thousands more
visitors from around the globe.
You can try getting a ticket through the
public ballot held early on in the year, but
you are not guaranteed to be successful.
A large number of visitors, however,
choose to spend hours queuing at the
gates on the day, or even overnight, if
looking to get show tickets.
The equally renowned London Marathon
(www.virginlondonmarathon.com) has
taken place in the capital since 1981.
With more than 35,000 runners every
spring, this sporting event is one of the
top five world marathons and is televised
in more than 150 countries.
For the best up-to-date news of what’s
going on in London, the Time Out
London magazine provides excellent
weekly info at £2.99 per issue.
The London Irish Centre provides one of
the largest Arts and cultural programmes
for Irish people in London. At our ‘home
away from home,’ you can learn Irish
music or dance, watch Irish films and
attend regular social events. You can
also brush up on your Gaeilge at the
UK’s largest Irish language department.
The centre also hosts the UK’s largest
Irish music and dance festival every
summer. We can find out more at www.
londonirishcentre.org.
Return to Camden Town Festival (www.
returntocamden.org) - This is the UK’s
flagship traditional Irish music, song and
dance festival. Held over ten days in
October at the London Irish Centre and
other venues in Camden, it boasts some
of the top traditional players, singers and
dancers from the UK, Ireland and the
US, entertaining and offering lessons
in a programme of concerts, céilís and
workshops for adults and children at all
levels.
Parks
Irish events in London
St Patrick’s Day (www.london.gov.uk/
stpatricksday) - Organised by the Mayor
of London’s office every March, this is a
free family day out that offers the chance
to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint and
experience all things Irish – food, dance,
crafts, culture and music – with a huge
parade of floats, dancers and musicians.
More events are held in Covent Garden
and Trafalgar Square – where the
famous fountains spout green water for
the day!
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London has many famous and beautiful
parks for you to explore when looking for
an escape from the hustle and bustle of
city life.
Centrally located and bordered by the
Bayswater, Kensington and Mayfair
areas, Hyde Park is the one of the
biggest and most well-known of the
city’s parks (www.royalparks.gov.
uk/Hyde-Park). Famous for housing
the celebrated speaker’s corner, this
huge open space can provide hours of
peacefulness and tranquillity in the heart
of the capital.
Another of London’s royal parks,
Regent’s Park (www.royalparks.gov.
uk/The-Regents-Park), is the location
of Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens, making
springtime here a truly memorable
site. It’s also ideal for duck-feeding and
playground sessions for the little ones,
a pleasurable boat ride on the lake or
a visit to London Zoo. Slightly smaller
than Hyde Park, its summertime rush
of picnickers takes away some of the
stillness and calm that can be found at
other times of the year.
At the Northern edge of central London
lies Hampstead Heath, a haven of
English countryside teeming with wildlife.
This spectacular stretch of secluded
woods, open fields and swimming ponds
has an amazing atmosphere created
by the multitude of appreciative visitors,
youths and happy families.
Richmond Park (www.royalparks.gov.
uk/Richmond-Park) is the city’s largest
park, situated 30 minutes south west
of central London. This truly amazing
spread of land encompasses dense
forest, century-old oaks, grassy plains
and scenic hills. From here you can
enjoy unique panoramic views of the
city and find yourself surrounded by the
famous red and fallow deer introduced
by Charles I. Virtually unchanged since
the 17th century, this is the perfect
destination for a family day-trip or
picturesque get-away.
Sports and leisure
If you want to make sure you’re keeping
active while living in the capital, there are
luckily many options to choose from.
There are many gyms and leisure
centres you can join as a member or
casual visitor, all of them varying in
quality and price. Most have pools and
gym equipment while some also include
spa and other facilities such as climbingwalls. Here you can also find a variety
of group courses, and these exercise
clubs are often available in colleges and
centres for adult learning.
If you prefer independent work-outs,
there are plenty of parks to go running
in, and since the cycle hire scheme
(www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling)
was introduced cycling has also become
a very popular way for Londoners to
keep in shape. Londoners are also
encouraged to walk as much as possible,
which should be relatively easy in such a
compact city as you can usually find
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most necessities just a stone’s throw
away.
For those interested in sports, London
is home to many football clubs including
Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur
and West Ham United. Cricket is also
huge in England, with Lord’s Cricket
Ground in St. John’s Wood being
renowned as the ‘House of Cricket’.
There are also certain Irish sports
organisations located in London. Here
are some of them:
There are also certain Irish sports
organisations located in London. Here
are some of them:
sportsmen and women of all ages. For
more information you can visit their
website.
www.londongaa.org
London Irish Rugby Club
This famous rugby club plays home
matches at the Madejski stadium in
Reading, about 30 minutes west of
London. For fixtures and a great history
of the club, visit the website.
www.london-irish.com
Tara Gaelic Football Club
The club’s seniors’, ladies’ and minor’s
Gaelic football teams train at Northolt
Rugby Ground in Greenford and Elthorne
Road Recreation Ground in Kingsbury.
Check the website for training times.
www.taragfc.co.uk
Kilburn Gaels
The Kilburn Gaels is a hurling club that
trains in Cricklewood and Highgate
depending on what level you play at.
Check the website for venue details and
dates.
www.kilburngaelshurlingclub.org
Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)
The association promotes and organises
traditional Irish sports and competitions,
with teams and clubs involving
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Advice on moving
to London
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What recent migrants say...
“I’d get more advice about where to live and how much
rent to pay.”
“I would advise you to start looking for a job as soon as
possible. Research first the best areas to live in. I would
also say that you will be surprised how many people
won’t be able to understand your accent here! If I was to
move again, I would have started saving money sooner
so I would have less worry once I got here.”
“I would save as much money as possible. Setting-up
costs can run between £3,500-£5,000 (6 weeks’ deposit
required by most rental agencies). Do a rekey mission
for where you think you would like to live before moving
- a narrowed down search is better than a broad one
and public transport is well connected to most areas. Be
prepared for a change in pace - London can be draining
at first. The first task when arriving in London is to set
up a National Insurance interview. You will need the NI
number to set up a bank account. I would also say the
best time of year to move is mid-year. We moved in
January and it was miserable!”
“Travel over for interviews and secure a job first as it is
almost essential to securing accommodation.”
“Research the areas you might live in in advance
of moving over, and have temporary or short-term
accommodation arranged for a month or more.”
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“Fly over for interviews. Most companies will pay for
your interview expenses, so make sure you have a job
before you move. Hard lesson learnt, I thought it would
be easier. I was paid to fly over and attend interviews but
didn’t get the jobs. I should have waited before moving.
Have somewhere to stay, even if it’s a friend or cousin,
before you arrive.”
“I think I would advise someone to look for
accommodation well in advance.
This was a mistake I made, and left me in the position of
having to look in my first few weeks of a new job which
was extremely stressful.”
“Don’t go unless you have a job sorted first and don’t
commit to living somewhere until you have moved over
and got your bearings. Also be aware of water charges
and council tax that you don’t have to pay at home.”
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What advice professionals say...
“Before deciding on emigration to the UK there are a
number of issues to consider. The most important is
accommodation: a person on an average income can
expect to spend 30-40% of their income on rent. It is
advisable to source employment before arriving in the
UK, but where this is not possible, it is advisable to have
enough savings for a month’s deposit and month’s rent
up front.
People with limited means are advised to apply for
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) immediately upon arrival.
We advise people to apply for benefits for several
reasons: it will generate official proof of address which is
necessary to obtain a National Insurance number (PRSI
equivalent) and a bank account; it entitles the claimant
to Housing Benefit (Rent Allowance) and Council Tax
Benefit; and it entitles the claimant to free prescriptions.
For those moving to the UK for reasons other than to
work, it is important to bear in mind that except in certain
exceptional cases, you will not be eligible for social
housing and will be deemed intentionally homeless by
local authorities if you have left a home in Ireland that
was available to you. Therefore, having a deposit and
rent up front is imperative to access accommodation in
the private housing sector.
Welfare benefits in the UK are significantly less generous
than in Ireland. A typical JSA claimant over the age of 25
years can expect to receive £67.50 per week.
Families with dependent children will be entitled to claim
child benefit, tax credits and free school meals. Advice
on other benefits such as Employment and Support
Allowance (Incapacity), Disability Living Allowance,
Pensions, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance,
premiums, grants and loans is available at our drop-in
Advice Service in Camden.” (Advice Manager)
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“Investigate as much as possible aspects of your move.
There is no excuse to not do this, with easy Internet
access. Investigate job opportunities, areas, the cost of
living, and the cost of private rented properties. Work
out how much the move will cost, and how long you can
afford to live without work.” (Advice Worker)
“People should consider giving themselves a deadline,
as money will not last long in this city. Make sure to
be computer literate - it is no longer a bonus, it is an
absolute essential.” (Advice Worker)
“Coming to London is a big step and something that
should be given a lot of consideration. I would also
advise that it is not as easy as some people seem to
think to access social housing, and consequently you
need to ensure that you are able to cope with the rent
and deposit in advance, or if you are likely to qualify for
housing benefit/local housing allowance you must be in
a position to cover any shortfall. I would also advise you
to bring as much money with you as possible and also
as many ID as possible. I would point out that if you are
entitled to benefits, it can take a little while before you
receive payment so you should try to come prepared for
this too.” (Advice Worker)
“If you have friends or family in the city, make use
of them. They will be a help in some way, even if it
is experience, knowledge, and awareness.” (Advice
Worker)
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Services for Irish
people in London
68
The London Irish Centre
learn Irish music or dance, watch Irish
films and attend regular social events.
You can also brush up on your Gaeilge
at the UK’s largest Irish language
department. The centre also hosts the
UK’s largest Irish music and dance
festival every summer.
The London Irish Centre
50-52 Camden Square
London
NW1 9XB
020 7916 2222
[email protected]
www.londonirishcentre.org
The London Irish Centre is the largest
centre for Irish people outside Ireland.
The centre provides legal advice on
housing, welfare benefits, debt, returning
to Ireland and independent living, as
well as regularly carrying out events
and activities surrounding Irish art and
culture.
The centre provides support to
individuals looking for employment,
counselling services, activities for
individuals with poor mental health and
alcohol aftercare services.
LIC provides a wide range of services
to older Irish people and has one of
the largest volunteering programmes in
central London.
Safestart
Safe Start Foundation strives to alleviate
poverty and improve people’s lives
through the holistic provision of
accommodation, housing advice,
employment training and brokerage.
1 Bridgehill Close,
Wembley
Middlesex
HA0 1EP
020 8900 0001
[email protected]
www.safestart.org.uk
As well as being a welfare service, the
London Irish Centre has been a hub of
social and cultural activity for the Irish
community in the city for over 50 years.
At our ‘home away from home,’ you can
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www.icap.org.uk
Immigrant counselling & Psychotherapy
Other services for Irish
people in London
Irish support & advice
service
Lewisham Irish Community
Centre
Hammersmith & Fulham Irish
Centre
Information and advice on a wide range
of issues, including housing and benefits.
Outreach and social support for families
and individuals. Full cultural and social
programme.
Blacks Rd W6 9DT
Tel. 0208 7410466
Irish Community Services
(Greenwich, Bexley and
Lewisham)
Irish Community Services provide a
range of services and opportunities for
the Irish community in Greenwich, Bexley
and Lewisham. Services include advice
and advocacy, carers’ support, elders
outreach, lunch clubs, floating support
worker and volunteer opportunities.
1-4 Beresford Square
Beresford Street
Woolwich
SE18 6BB
020 8854 4466
www.irishcommunityservices.org
The Irish Embassy in London
www.embassyofireland.co.uk
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Information and advice on housing,
benefits and a wide range of other
issues. Social and cultural events,
including a pensioners group. Also, Irish
Youth Cafe and Support Project.
0208 695 9608
[email protected]
www.lewisham-irish.org
Haringey Irish Cultural and
Community Centre
Information and advice on a wide range
of issues, help with employment and
training. Also social club.
Pretoria Rd
Tottenham N17 8DX
Tel. 0208 8853490
[advice and information] 0208 3651125
Cricklewood Homeless Concern
CHC is a voluntary sector charity working
with single homeless people in Brent
and surrounding boroughs. We offer a
range of basic and specialised services
from hot meals and washing facilities
to advice, counselling, identifying
suitable accommodation, resettlement
and outreach work. We rely on a range
of funders and our local community to
support our work.
60 Ashford Road
London NW2 6TU
ph. 020 8208 1608
fx. 020 8830 5637
[email protected]
www.chc.org.uk
Brent Irish Advisor Service
Information and advice service offering
advice on housing, referrals, accessing
benefits, and with many other issues
affecting the Irish community. Also
housing outreach support. The BIAS
Community Service works with children,
families, and the elderly, including
daycare.
The Old Library Building
Willesden Green
Library Centre
95 High Rd
Willesden NW10
Tel. 0208 459 6655
Irish Chaplaincy in Britain
www.irishchaplaincy.org.uk
Irish Cultural Centre,
Hammersmith
www.irishculturalcentre.co.uk
Luton Irish Forum
www.lutonirishforum.org
Irish networks in
London
The Federation of Irish Societies
(FIS)
The Federation of Irish Societies (FIS)
is the national representative body for
the Irish in Britain. Working together with
our 150 Irish cultural and community
members FIS endeavors to raise the
profile and contribution of the Irish
community in Britain. Our mission is
to achieve a confident, healthy and
empowered Irish community participating
fully in a multi-cultural Britain. The
diversity of our membership is essential
to the delivery of this aim – covering
activity in arts and culture, sport, Irish
centres and welfare agencies.
www.irishinbritain.org
IIBN (Irish International
Business Network)
IIBN is a global, not-for-profit
membership organisation which brings
together successful Irish entrepreneurs
and business men and women. The
objective of IIBN is to facilitate greater
communication and connectivity
between Irish business communities
throughout the world with a view to
identifying and exploiting opportunities.
IIBN has chapters in London, New York
and Dublin. Business connections are
facilitated via online activity and regular
events.
www.iibn.com
London Irish Business Society
(LIBS)
The London Irish Business Society
(LIBS) is London’s most active
networking society for high potential
professionals with an interest in the Irish
economy.
Established in 2009 with the aim of
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of bringing together the many Irish
professionals working in the London
area, LIBS currently has a membership
base of over 1000, drawn from a variety
of business backgrounds.
As highlighted in a recent feature article
in the Irish Times, LIBS events are
organised throughout the year and offer
members a chance to meet with wellestablished Irish business leaders with
UK expertise.
www.li-bs.co.uk
London Society of Chartered
Accountants Ireland
The London Society of Chartered
Accountants Ireland is a District
Society of Chartered Accountants
Ireland which is the largest and longest
established accountancy body in Ireland.
The London Society has over 1,200
members and our mission is to act as a
professional and social forum for Irish
Chartered Accountants in London. We
aim to achieve this objective through
various CPD events and Social Activities.
Our members play an active role in the
development of the London economy
by working in the areas of finance,
business and industry or by working
in practice, offering expertise in audit,
tax, accountancy and consultancy to a
wide range of clients. Although many of
our events are specifically targeted at
accountants, we are very happy to open
up others, as appropriate, to a wider
audience.
london.charteredaccountants.ie/
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The National University of
Ireland (NUI) Club London
The National University of Ireland Club
London was founded by Dr. T.J. Kiernan
while he was Secretary to the Irish High
Commissioner in the Irish Embassy
London, and his wife Delia Murphy (NUI
Galway Graduate) on the 14 February
1929. The National University of Ireland
Club London remains a very active
graduate club at which newly arrived
graduates in London can meet with
fellow graduates from National University
of Ireland franchises as well as other
Irish Universities, Colleges and Institutes
of Technology in the greater London
area. Membership is free and open to all
Irish graduates based in London.
www.nuiclub.co.uk/Site_2/Welcome_
to_NUI_Club_London.html
References
1. Tilki et al. (2009)
http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/6350/
14. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
business-12477563
2. Greater London Authority (2009)
http://www.london.gov.uk/rents/london/private/
15. Greater London Authority Intelligence Unit
(2011) http://data.london.gov.uk/documents/glalondon-borough-profiles-key-findings.pdf
3. Homelet (2011)
www.homelet.co.uk
4. Greater London Authority (2009) http://www.
london.gov.uk/rents/london/private/
5. Greater London Authority (2011) http://data.
london.gov.uk/documents/focus-on-london2011-housing.pdf
6. Homelet (2011) http://homelet.co.uk/news/
article/82
7. Direct Gov 2011
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/
HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/Tenancies/
DG_189120
8. Shelter (2010)
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/
finding_a_place_to_live/council_waiting_lists/
who_gets_priority
9. Mercer (2011)
http://uk.mercer.com/articles/1095320
10. Greater London Authority Economics (2011)
http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/
living-wage-2011.pdf
11. Greater London Authority, A Living Wage for
London (2011)
http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/
living-wage-2011.pdf
12. Greater London Authority, A Living Wage for
London (2011)
http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/
living-wage-2011.pdf
16. City of London (2011) http://www.
cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_
Services/Business/Business_support_and_
advice/Economic_information_and_analysis/
Research+and+statistics+FAQ.htm
17. Daily Mirror (2011)
http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/
jobs/2011/10/06/technology-jobs-boom-in-eastlondon-115875-23471677/
18. Office of National Statistics, Annual Survey
of Hours and Earnings (2011)
19. Office of National, Labour Market Statistic
(2011)
20. Department of Work and Pensions (2011)
http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/rti/
rti_jul2011.pdf
21. DirectGov (2011)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/
groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/
digitalasset/dg_200090.html
22. National Health Service (2011)
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/
Pages/Prescriptioncosts.aspx
23. Day Care Trust (2011)
http://www.daycaretrust.org.uk/pages/rapid-risein-childcare-costs-adds-to-family-finance-woes.
html
13. Greater London Authority, Innovation in
London (2007) http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/
economic_unit/docs/wp_19_innovation_in_
london.pdf
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The London Irish Centre
50-52 Camden Square
London
NW1 9XB
Tel: 020 7916 2222 (Main line)
Tel: 020 7916 7272 (Conference & Banqueting)
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.londonirishcentre.org
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