Key learnings:
- This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what to expect when working in the United Kingdom, in particular London.
- If you’d like to learn more, listen to our podcast on Working in London, where Katie Rosser speaks to our UK partners, Totum.
- And, if you’re interested in Working in London, contact Katie Rosser for an introduction to Totum.
The London Job Market
- Despite uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the London job market for professional services business development, marketing and communications roles remains buoyant.
- Teams are growing in size, particularly for business development roles.
- Whilst London is by far the largest market, this growth is also occurring in regional centres such as Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.
To find out more about the London and UK job market, listen to our Working in London podcast (30 mins). The first half of our podcast discusses in full the trends in role types and skills in demand from Executive to Director in the UK market.
I want to work in the UK, so what’s next?
The sooner you tell us that you’re considering this, the sooner we can help. You don’t need to wait until you’re certain before getting in touch!
- Search our website for current job opportunities (filter your search by London).
- Speak to us – we’re always happy to chat and answer your questions.
- Discuss the move with your partner / family and consider what you need to arrange to accommodate them.
- Research – rents, tax, salaries, role types – we can help you here; to figure out if this will work for you.
How will my salary compare?
- UK salaries can be lower (on a currency convertor) than Australia and Asia, particularly once you take into account tax.
- We encourage those relocating to the UK to focus on competitive market rates and cost of living. Unless you have a lot of out-goings in your home currency, once you’re in the UK you just need to be satisfied you will have a good quality of living with the pounds you will be earning.
- One difference Australians need to note is that the pension (the UK equivalent of superannuation) is paid on top of your salary, not inclusive as part of the package.
Can I expect a relocation package and other benefits?
Relocation
Each offer will be different from the next and at a firm’s discretion. Large global firms have relocation teams so they are more likely to offer a package than UK-based firms. Relocation packages are more common for senior roles and would be very unusual for executive-level roles.
Annual leave
Firms vary in what they will offer but it is common to receive between 25 – 30 days annually depending on the firm and level. This is a great benefit of working in the UK market, particularly if you enjoy travelling.
Bonuses
For manager level upwards, most firms pay a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance. The amount can vary widely, from 5 to 20 percent and will also vary from firm to firm.
Maternity leave
The UK has a statutory maternity pay and leave. We recommend you visit the Gov.UK website to learn more about employee entitlements for maternity leave.
What working visas are available for the UK?
The British government determines the requirements for work visas. We recommend you visit Gov.UK to make sure you have the current visa information, as it applies to your circumstances. The table below was published in August 2019 and is subject to change.
| Visa Type | Required if | Length of stay allowed | Can the visa be extended? |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Ancestry Visa | • You are a Commonwealth citizen • You are applying from outside of the UK • You are able to prove one of your grandparents was born in the UK • You are able and planning to work in the UK • Meet other eligibility criteria | 5 years | Yes |
| Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) | • You want to live and work in the UK for 2 years • You are aged 18 – 30 • Have £1,890 in savings • Have certain types of overseas British Nationality or are from certain countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Taiwan) • Meet other eligibility criteria | 2 years | |
| Tier 2 - General REQUIRES SPONSORSHIP FROM EMPLOYER | • Have been offered a skilled job in the UK • You are from outside of the EEA and Switzerland • You must be sponsored from a licensed sponsor (firm/organisations) – COS. • The work you do must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation | 5 years and 14 days | Yes – for up to 5 years as long as your total stay is not more than 6 years |
Can you tell me about the tax rate?
This table was prepared in August 2019 and provides general information about tax rates in the UK. We recommend you visit the Gov.UK website to make sure you have the most up-to-date information as it relates to your circumstances. Tax rules can be different if you are not a resident of the UK. Therefore, we strongly recommend you seek independent tax advice.
| Band | Taxable income | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal allowance | Up to £12,500 | 0% |
| Basic rate | £12,501 to £50,000 | 20% |
| Higher rate | £50,001 - £150,000 | 40% |
| Additional rate | Over £150,000 | 45% |
Can you tell me about renting?
Renting a flat in London is usually expensive (but this is true for most major international cities).
If you are moving to London on your own, sharing a flat with others can be a good way to split the costs and meet others. There are a number of sites including www.spareroom.co.uk and www.moveflat.com
If you are moving to London with your partner or family, there are real estate sites that list houses or flats to rent. These include www.primelocation.com, www.zoopla.co.uk and www.rightmove.co.uk.
Interested in working in London? Talk to us or search for jobs in London.
Related content:
- Working in London podcast (30 mins)