Income Tax
As a worker in the UK you will be
subject to the same taxes as a UK resident under the
PAYE (Pay As You Earn) Scheme, which comprises of
Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions.
The basic rate of Income Tax from
April 2000 are 22% on your taxable earnings. These
rates are set by the Government and can vary from
time to time.
National Insurance
National Insurance contributions
help pay for some of the benefits that you may receive
whilst working in the UK. This is also set by the
Government and changes at the beginning of the Tax
year (6th April).
When you enter the UK and
are intending to work, even for a short period, you
must apply for a National Insurance number.
UK - Cost of Living
The currency in the UK is the Pound
Sterling (£) and is issued in "Pounds and
Pence". (£ = Pounds, p = Pence). There
are 100 Pence to the Pound. Denominations are £100,
£50, £20, £10 and £5 notes
and £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p and 1p coins.
Most goods and services have 'Value Added Tax' (VAT)
added. This is currently 17.5%.
Prices vary across the UK. Major
population centres such Bristol, London, Aberdeen,
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester are the most expensive
to live while smaller towns and villages are cheaper.
A selected sample of average price for the most commonly
used goods and services is shown below:
Rent of one room in a flat or similar per month: £250
Price of monthly bus pass for city centre: £32.00
Train fare (journey of about 30minutes): £5.00
Cinema Ticket: £5.00
Theatre Ticket: from £10.00 up
Museum/Gallery Entrance: £3.00 or FREE!
3-Course dinner for two (upmarket excluding wine):
£80
3-Course dinner for two (mid-market excluding wine):
£35-£40
3-Course dinner for two (budget excluding wine): £20
Fast Food dinner (burger, chips and cola) for two:
£6.00
Pint of Beer/Lager: £2.50
Bottle of Wine: £12.00 and up (in restaurant/bar)
£5.00 - 7.00 and up (supermarket)
Glass of cheap Wine: £3.00
Spirit + mixer ( hard drink) : £ 3.00
Cup of coffee: £1.50
Cup of tea: £1.60
The UK has a selection of both large
chain stores and smaller individually owned shops.
Most shops now open 7 days a week. though, some still
close on a Sunday. There are four major supermarket
chains - TESCO, ASDA, SAINSBURY's and SAFEWAY. These
are to be found in almost every city and town. MARKS
& SPENCERS also sells groceries in the larger
shops. The supermarkets sell groceries, household
items, toiletries, magazines, newspapers etc. Many
now also sell clothes and CD' s or videos. A selected
price list for groceries is shown below:
Loaf of Bread: 60p
Pint of Milk: 40p
Bag of Sugar: 60p
Packet of Tea Bags: £1.50
Jar of Coffee: £2.00
Bottle of Coca Cola: 70p
Tin of Soup: 35p
Ready meal for two: £4.00
Pack of sandwiches: £2.00
Can of juice: 40p
Packet of Potatoe Chips: 36p
Chocolate bar: 35p
All prices are approximate.
January 2002
Source: Cost of Living Index.
