Primary Teachers for London

Many people considering travel to the UK are concerned about the living costs associated with living in London. The money you bring can disappear quickly, so earning English pounds can help overcome this. Mostly, you will be concerned with accommodation, food and travel. How much it will cost you is a bit like asking 'how long is a piece of string?'

Each person is different and each person has different living standards, priorities and goals. Some teachers have saved up enough English pounds to come home with a deposit for a house, others have preferred to spend what they earn, travelling around Europe. It all depends on your set of circumstances.

You can save money by asking others about good deals or cheap fares. Our social functions are great for this type of networking!

Shopping at bigger supermarkets, rather than smaller convenience stores is a cheaper option.

The Other Costs...

Taxes/National Insurance

The UK Taxation Office is known as Inland Revenue. Every person working in the UK pays taxes. Most people pay tax under PAYE system ( Pay as you Earn ). Some people choose to form a Limited Company. Information about any of these schemes can be found in the TNT or SX magazines.

Each working person / resident in the UK receives a tax-free threshold of Â£5280 per year as of 2005. The remaining income is taxed according to total annual income earned for that year. If you are taxed through PAYE, you sign a P46 form which registers you with the Inland Revenue.

National Insurance Number

A National Insurance number is recommended. To obtain a National Insurance number, you will need to register with the Department of Social Security (DSS).

It is quite a frustrating process but call 0845 3021487 to arrange an interview.

Check the web site www.dss.gov.uk/localoffice to find your local office. You will

need to take your passport and a letter from us confirming you are registered and employed. It can take at least 8 weeks before your card, with your permanent National Insurance number, arrives in the post.

Council Tax

Council Tax (rates) was introduced on April 1st 1993. Most dwellings are subject to Council Tax. There is one bill per dwelling whether it is a house, bungalow, flat, maisonette or mobile home and whether it is owned or rented.

The amount of the bill depends upon the value of the dwelling as determined by the location and property band in which it has been placed by the Valuation Office Agency. The agency is a part of the Inland Revenue and any queries regarding the band in which your dwelling has been placed should be made to the Listing officer:

Phone No : + 44 (0)208 315 2800.

Medical/Health

To register with the NHS ( National Health Service ) and receive free medical treatment, visit the NHS web site www.nhs.uk to find out those NHS services available to you. Visiting a doctor is free but you must live local to the Doctor's Surgery. You can phone 0845 4647 for a list of GPs in your area or phone this number for any health advice and information. For less serious conditions you can go directly to a chemist or visit a 'walk in' NHS clinic such as the one in the Croydon City Centre.

Dentists

Visiting a dentist is very expensive for those without private insurance. You can register with a dentist regardless of location.

TV License

People have to pay for a TV License in order to watch any television. These are mandatory and failure to hold a TV License results in a hefty fine.

Telephone calls

Using a landline can be expensive because calls are charged per minute. The longer you talk, the more you pay and the charges vary according to distance.

Options:

- Phone cards - for international calls are the cheapest and best! These can be purchased at newsagents or corner shops. Check out the cheap deals. On some cards you only have to pay as little as 4p a minute!

- Mobile phones - an essential while supply teaching - you need to buy a phone

and there are many different plans you can choose from. Shop around and find

the one that suits you