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Location Advice: London

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London is the capital city of the United Kingdom, and described as being bustling, vibrant, multicultural and cosmopolitan. It is at the heart of British history and culture and has a great mix of both old and new, with traditional architecture meeting new cocktail bars and more. London is one of the most populated and diverse cities in Europe and is broken up into 32 boroughs plus the City of London itself. It is situated in Southeastern England along the River Thames.

London at a Glance

Country Location: United Kingdom

Population: 9-10 million

Currency: Pound Sterling £

Time Zone: GMT/BST

Climate

London has a temperate climate, characterised by mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and infrequent extreme weather conditions.

Religion

Christianity is the official religion, however, the UK is a multi-faith society where all religions are welcome, with plenty of places to practise faith.

Language

English is the official and native language of London, spoken widely across the city. However, as one of the most multicultural cities in the world, London is home to speakers of over 300 languages, including Bengali, Punjabi, Urdu, Polish, and Mandarin.

Government

As the capital city, London is the seat of the UK government, the location of the Houses of Parliament, the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street, and various government departments. London is governed by the Greater London Authority, comprising the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.

Tax Rules

  • 20% of basic earnings between £12,571 to £50,270

  • 40% of basic earnings between £50,270 to £124,140

  • 45% of basic earnings over £125,140

Please see the UK Government website for more information on Income Tax Bands, National Insurance and Allowances and Benefits.

Working Hours/Days

Typical working hours in the UK are 8-hour days, 40 hours a week, 5 days a week Monday to Friday. However, this does change from job to job and company to company.

Public Holidays

  • New Year’s Day – Jan 1

  • Good Friday – Varies

  • Easter Sunday – Varies

  • Early May Bank Holiday – First Monday of May

  • Spring Bank Holiday – Last Monday of May

  • Summer Bank Holiday – Last Monday of August

  • Christmas Day – Dec 25

  • Boxing Day – Dec 26

Statutory Benefits

  • Statutory Sick Pay
  • Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Pay and Leave
  • Statutory Redundancy Pay
  • Statutory Annual Leave

Please see the UK Government website for more information on your entitlement.
Employee Rights
Holiday Entitlement Rights

Pension Policy

Everyone is entitled to a State Pension as long as certain requirements are met. Please see the UK Government website for further information.

Regarding company pensions, these will vary from company to company, however, the minimum contribution from your employer is 3%.

Please see the UK Government website for more information on the workplace pension contributions.

Visa Requirements

To work or live in the UK you will need a visa and a right to work. The visa required will depend on your situation and individual requirements.

To find out more about which visa you may need, please see the UK Government website.

Landmarks

London is home to iconic landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.

Museums and Galleries

London boasts numerous world-class museums and galleries, such as the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Tate Modern.

Theatre and Arts

The West End is renowned for its theatre scene, rivalling Broadway in New York. The city hosts numerous cultural festivals and events throughout the year.

Parks and Outdoor Activities

London has a range of parks and outdoor areas to pass the time including Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, Green Park, Kew Gardens.

Shopping and Markets

London has a rich history with the streets being occupied by markets and this still continues today at Borough Market and Camden Market with more opportunities for shopping at Oxford Street, Covent Garden and Westfields.

Seasonal Activities

Many times a year seasonal events will pop up, Notting Hill Carnival, Chelsea Flower Show and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

Historical Viewings

London is steeped in history and many landmarks still stand and are a must see including The Roman Wall, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Monument of the Great Fire of London, Leadenhall Market, Temple Church and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Getting Around

London's extensive public transportation system includes the famous London Underground (the Tube), buses, trams, and overground trains. There are many places within close distance of London easily travelled to via train including; Southend-on-Sea, Windsor, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath and Brighton. You can even get the Eurostar from London and take day trips to Paris and Brussels.

Accommodation

London offers a range of housing options, from historic townhouses to modern apartments, though it is known for its high cost of living.

Schooling

There are a mix of public and private schooling options within London. For higher education, London is home to some of the world’s leading educational institutions, including University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, and the London School of Economics (LSE).

Car and Fuel Costs

The Fuel costs in the UK can fluctuate week to week however, we can draw an average.
Diesel: 153.9p per litre
Gasoline: 147.9p per litre

Healthcare

The city is served by the National Health Service (NHS) and hosts numerous top-tier hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Entertainment

Average cost of a Pint of Beer in London - £7
Average cost of a Pint of Coke in London - £4.20
Average cost of a 3-course Meal in London - Around £48 excluding drinks

If you are looking to relocate to London or the UK in general, please speak to one of our recruitment experts as they can have an in-depth conversation with you regarding relocation and can assist you the best way they can.

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