The United Kingdom is the biggest island in Europe. It is one of the most powerful, influencial countries in the world and is unquestionably one of the Filipinos desired workplace. Ever wonder what makes UK an attractive destination or what it takes to work in the UK? All these and more will be answered here at UK 101.

General Information

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island is the wonderful union of the individual countries of England, Scotland and Wales and the region of Northern Ireland. London is UK's capital city and its major languages are English, Welsh and the Scottish form of Gaelic.

Money Matters

The national currency in the UK is the British Pound (sometimes referred to as "Sterling"), which converts into other currencies at roughly these rates: 1,000 British Pound = 1,585 Euro 1,000 British Pound = 81,220 Philippine Peso The pound (£) is made up of 100 pence (p). The most common coins in circulation are of 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p and £1 and £2.

Weather Conditions

Weather in UK is moderated by the prevailing southwest winds off the North Atlantic: winters are mild and summers cool, with numerous overcast days. Rain is evenly divided throughout the year.

Food

Britain’s well-loved fast food is fish and chips and curry is its most popular meal. Tea is the most popular drink in Britain, in fact, far more popular than coffee.

Government

Britain is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional Monarch. The House of Commons and the House of Lords, together with the Monarch, make up Parliament. Parliament passes laws, approves taxation and debates the major issues of the day. The Prime Minister heads the Government and appoints Ministers, who head individual Government departments.

Society

UK's population is very diverse - you'll find people of all ages, cultures and styles of dress living on the same streets and using the same transport. There are many different communities of people originating from countries all over the world, and also regional differences within the UK, particularly between the South East and the rest of the country.

Cost of Living

Salary in the UK is higher compared to what Filipinos normally receive in the Philippines. Cost of living, however, is more expensive. As such, food and accommodation prices are but in line with the money a British employee earns. The only thing that makes the big difference is when the worker sends or spends his/her money in the Philippines. Starting salary for Filipina nurses in London, news revealed, is Php 80,000 per month which is very high as compared to what our local nurses receive. To newcomers, it is a must to know that housing and living costs vary by region. They are generally higher in southern England and significantly higher in London. Typically, prices are lower across Northern England and the Midlands. Accommodation options include renting or buying property, but with UK property prices very high at present, renting is probably the more accessible option.