Life in the UK
- Language
- The UK currency
- Keeping your money safe
- Protecting the consumer
- Keeping in touch
- Religion
- Customs, festivals and holidays
Language
English is widely spoken in the UK, although people are rightly proud of both Welsh and (Scots) Gaelic. Sometimes accents may be difficult to understand, and these will vary around the country, so let people know if you’re having trouble understanding them. You may also need them to explain any phrases you are unfamiliar with.
The UK currency
In the UK we use the pound sterling (£/GBP). There are 100 pence (p) to the pound (£). There are £5, £10, £20 and £50 and £100* banknotes. Coins come in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2.
*£100 banknotes are only printed in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Northern Ireland and Scotland have the same currency but have their own banknotes.
If you want to change a different currency into pounds – or the other way round – there are plenty of choices. Banks, building societies, post offices and currency exchange services (bureaux de change) will do this, or you can do it online. Exchange rates vary daily and you should check different places to find the best value.
Keeping your money safe
Most adults in the UK have an account at a bank or building society. Parents open accounts for their children to teach them about how to look after their money.
Employers usually pay wages straight into your account.
A cash card allows you to use cash machines to withdraw money from your account. A debit card allows you to pay for things without using cash. You must have enough money in your account to cover what you buy. A credit card can be used to buy things, but you may have to pay interest on the purchases.
Protecting the consumer
When you buy something from a shop it must, by law, do everything you can reasonably expect and all that the seller and manufacturer claim.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 states that when you buy anything from a shop or trader it must be of satisfactory quality, match the description, and be fit for purpose.
The act also covers digital content you may purchase, such as downloads.
If you pay for services from someone, then they must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, must be finished within a reasonable time period (if you didn’t agree a time limit in advance), and must be charged at a reasonable price (if a price wasn’t agreed in advance).
If goods are faulty or you’re not happy with a service you may be able to resolve this easily by speaking to the company or person involved and letting them know what’s wrong. If not, you may be able to get support if you need it.
Keeping in touch
The post office can help you to send things home, whether it’s a postcard, a letter or a parcel. The cost will depend on the size, weight and shape of what you’re sending.
Religion
In the UK you’re free to practise your own religion. You’ll find different religious groups in most towns and cities across the country. The UK has historically been a mainly Christian country, and Christianity is still the largest religion, followed by Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism.
An internet search will help you find your nearest place of worship, regardless of your chosen faith.
Customs, festivals and holidays
In the UK we have a range of festival days and events. Some are holidays – but not all. Many reflect the UK’s Christian history, such as Christmas and Easter, and school holidays work around these events.
But, as a diverse society, you’ll also see a range of other special days being observed and respected by other religious groups. These include Eid al-Fitr and Eid ul Adha (Islam); Diwali (Hinduism and Sikhism); and Hannukah (Judaism).
Patron saints’ days
The four countries of the UK all have patron saints. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, patron saints’ days are public holidays. There are some celebrations in England and Wales on St George’s Day and St David’s Day respectively:
- 1 March: St David’s Day, Wales
- 17 March: St Patrick’s Day, Northern Ireland
- 23 April: St George’s Day, England
- 30 November: St Andrew’s Day, Scotland.
Non-religious festivals and celebrations
While you’re living here you’ll want to be aware of other days which may be marked with celebrations or in a different way:
- 31 December/1 January – New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. You may hear this called Hogmanay in Scotland
- 25 January – Burns Night
- Late January to mid-February – Chinese New Year
- 14 February – Valentine’s Day
- Three weeks before Easter – Mothering Sunday
- 1 April – April Fool’s Day
- Mid-June – The Queen’s Official Birthday
- Third Sunday in June – Father’s Day
- 21 June – Summer Solstice
- 31 October – Halloween
- 5 November – Bonfire Night
- 11 November – Remembrance Day.
Bank holidays
There are other bank holidays in early May, late May, and late August. In Northern Ireland, there is a bank holiday in mid-July. The dates change because they’re always on a Monday – to give people a long weekend. Schools always close for bank holidays.