What are the benefits of working in the UK?

The UK is a popular destination for those looking at an overseas career. The country is a favored choice for immigrants not only for its educational but also the professional opportunities that it offers. Apart from this working in the UK comes with its own benefits. 

Improvement in a financial situation

One major advantage of working here is that you will earn in pounds. Considering the high exchange rate of the British pound, if you are earning a decent salary you will definitely have a better quality of life and you will have the chance to earn more than what you can in your home country.

Opportunity to get permanent residency

If you have been working in the UK for at least five years, you can apply for UK permanent residency. With a permanent residency, you have the freedom to live and work anywhere in the UK without the requirement of having a visa.

With a permanent residency, you can bring your family to stay with you in the UK.

 Healthcare and education facilities

In the UK, there are health care institutions and educational institutions that offer free medical and educational services. Immigrants may take advantage of special health plans to access the best form of emergency or medical treatment, without paying much or availing subsidized rates. Additionally, there are a number of reputed schools and universities where people can continue to learn for free.

Social security benefits

In the UK five major social security benefits are offered to employees. These include:

• National Insurance (NI): Under this benefit financial assistance is provided to employees in case of sickness, unemployment, death of a partner, retirement, among others. Those who pay National Insurance contributions are eligible for these benefits.
• National Health Service (NHS): This service provides the medical, optical and dental treatment. It is generally free for residents in the UK.
• Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit: This scheme provides cash benefits for people who are raising children.
• Non-contributory Benefits: This is for certain disabled people or careers.
• Other statutory payments made by employers to employees: These include maternity, paternity, adoption leave, etc.

To avail of these benefits, you will need a social security number otherwise called the National Insurance number that you will obtain when you pay the National Insurance (NI) contributions.

This will make you eligible for important NI benefits such as pensions or insurance of you lose your job or fall sick. The other benefits of NI are:

• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Support/Reduction
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

When you relocate to work in the UK, it is compulsory to get a National Insurance number which will entitle you to these benefits.

There are numerous benefits if you decide to work in the UK. The benefits make it worth considering moving to the country for employment.