Finding Work
Job Searches in London
If you’re entitled to work in the UK, there are several ways you can search for a job: online, by checking the newspaper ‘Employment Opportunities’ pages, or by registering with an employment agency. Here are some suggestions to help you with your job search:
Websites:
Newspapers:
Employment Agencies:
Paying Tax
One legal requirement needs to be met: obtaining a NI number (National Insurance Number), an account where you have to pay your taxes. This is compulsory for any income you obtain in the UK, even as a student.
- Call the JobCentreplus National Insurance Number Allocation Office: 08456 000643.
- Answer a number of questions (e.g. your personal details, employer’s details) and get an appointment for an interview.
- Attend the interview at a local Jobcentre Plus branch.
- Bring your documents to this appointment (e.g. passport, contract of employment etc).
This procedure can take a number of weeks, therefore during this time you can work using a temporary NI number from the Jobcentre.
For further information on National Insurance, please phone the NI Enquiry Line: 0845 302 1479.
For information on income tax please visit: the HMRC income tax pages or telephone Income Tax enquiries on 0845 302 1437.
The minimum wage
Workers in the UK have a National Minimum Wage, which is set by the government. This is the legal minimum amount per hour, that an employer must pay. There are different rates for different ages:
| £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 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship |
For further information please visit: the HMRC national minimum wage pages or contact the national minimum wage helpline on 0845 600 0678.
