Living and Working in the UK
People who come to the UK to work find life a rewarding and invigorating experience. Residents enjoy a high standard of living, education and recreation.
FACT: Up to 500,000 executives
relocate to the UK annually
from across the world, with the
vast majority being relocated by
their employers.
A British education is highly regarded around the world. Teaching standards and academic excellence are renowned. Our universities and other higher education institutions
have an enviable international reputation – indeed, the UK has two
of the top three universities globally.
FACT: Of the 2.2 million full-time and
part-time students in the UK, over
300,000 are international students
drawn from 180 countries.
The UK’s publicly funded health system aims to provide free care for all who need it, alongside a flourishing private healthcare sector. And with low rates of personal taxation you and your employees will have the resources to enjoy all that British life has to offer.
FACT: The average travel-to-work time
in the UK is just 26 minutes.
The UK has a rich and varied heritage which includes 27 entries on the World Heritage List of sites of importance. These range from famous architectural landmarks to prehistoric stone circles; from outstandingly beautiful cities to significant industrial-age sites.
FACT: Liverpool has been designated
as the European Capital of Culture
for 2008.
The UK’s tradition of creativity began thousands of years ago and now extends into the most modern artistic media, with award-winning films, television programmes and stage musicals. There are also plenty of opportunities to witness the UK’s excellence in the older arts such as
theatre, opera and ballet – not just in London but in superb venues the length and breadth of the country.
Many of the leading visitor attractions in the UK are museums and galleries, such as the British
Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Tate Modern and the National Gallery. The Natural History Museum alone has over 70 million specimens, while the British Museum is recognised worldwide for its outstanding collection. One of the latest additions to the UK’s numerous art galleries is the hugely popular Tate Modern. The prestigious collections of the British Library are also a massive draw not just for scholars but for anyone with an enquiring mind.
The country’s tradition of architectural excellence runs unbroken from medieval castles to
pioneering modern business buildings. There are over 440,000 listed buildings, 18,000 scheduled monuments and 8,000 conservation areas in England alone.
UK residents like to exercise their bodies as well as their minds, and sports activities are widely available for all levels of participants. Local authorities run a range of affordable facilities, while private sector clubs and gyms are growing all the time.
There are also numerous golf courses throughout the UK.
The UK is renowned for its commitment to sport, being the birthplace of football (soccer),
cricket, golf, rugby and many other leading international sports. The UK has been awarded the 2012 Olympic Games and already hosts a number of annual world-class sporting events including Wimbledon, the Open Golf Championship and Formula One motor racing.
FACT: There will be 9.6 million tickets
on sale for the 2012 London Olympics– 8 million for the Olympics and
1.6 million for the Paralympics.
For a less strenuous way to recharge your batteries you can follow the example of the millions of locals who holiday within the UK. Varied landscapes, from spectacular mountains and lakes to gently rolling hills, and from picturesque forests to sandy beaches, are all within easy reach. With a huge range of activities, from walking, climbing and water sports to canal boat trips and visits to castles, stately homes, nature reserves and theme parks, the UK has something for all tastes and interests.
FACT: The coastline in the UK is 7,760
miles (12,500 kilometres), and
nowhere in the UK is further than 72
miles (115 kilometres) from the coast.
Further information can be found at:
www.visitbritain.com
The following sections will tell you
about some of the practical aspects
of living in the UK.
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