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WORKgateways UK e-newsletter

Monthly e-News for the UK Working Traveller

February 2009, Volume 5 Issue 2

The WORKgateways e-newsletter is written for working travellers bound for the UK hailing from all over the globe - from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada and more. Whether you're already in the UK, impatiently awaiting your departure date or thinking about going in the future, we've got something for you. Scroll down to view this month's info.

Contents

What's new

Focus

In every issue


Welcome

As most of the UK was blanketed with snow this week, and most people were given days off work, thousands of working travellers were left wondering whether they had accidentally stumbled upon Siberia instead! Nevertheless, much fun was had and travellers are relishing the chance to experience life on the other side of the world. Check out our hints and tips in this month's newsletter to help you maximise and plan for your working holiday, and find out how you can join everyone else having a ball in the UK!


What's new

Easy UK banking and money transfers

The new UK Kickstart bank account package offered through WORKgateways, providing you with a UK bank account and assistance with your National Insurance Number, and our easy money transfer service, are big hits with working travellers

Get all the info you need to know about banking in the UK at WORKgateways specialist Banking pages. Our top tip for working travellers is to organise your UK bank account before arriving in the UK. Check out the great-value bank account packages we have for you on WORKgateways - 1st Contact Kickstart and Visa First.

Plus, here's what you need to know about getting your National Insurance number and transferring your money between your home country and the UK. Our recommended money transfer service, Tranzfers, is a cheap and easy way to get your money from A to B.

Over 22,900 jobs on WORKgateways

Find the latest jobs available in the UK at WORKgateways - we have over 23,000 positions looking for the right candidate. Start browsing now!

From social workers to engineers, teachers to health professionals, we have over 22,900 jobs on WORKgateways looking for the right people. Why not register with UK recruitment agencies and apply to UK jobs today. Or, if you have more questions about a UK job search, check out our UK job search FAQs.

Before working in the UK, you'll obviously have to get your UK Visa sorted. If you have any questions you can also visit the WORKgateways forum.


Focus

Show me the money! Your cash-saving update

At the moment everyone in the UK is looking for ways to save a quick buck ? especially working travellers who have recently arrived or who are saving for fabulous holidays in Europe. Here?s our round up of tips to make your pounds go that little bit further.

Voracious about vouchers — There?s no need to be embarrassed about bagging a great deal. The UK has tons of websites pointing you in the right direction for vouchers that can get you great discounts at restaurants and shops across the UK. Here?s just one of the handy voucher websites.

Love your leftovers — A third of the food bought and eaten in the UK gets thrown away. Calculating how much you spend (and waste) on food can sometimes make you cringe. Planning your meals in advance and being clever with your leftovers will definitely stretch the pennies. Check out Love Food Hate Waste for some useful ideas. Also make sure you go shopping on a full stomach to make sure you?re not tempted to impulse buy.

Shop smart — Supermarkets are keen to get your custom so at the moment you?ll find lots of money saving campaigns and 2 for 1 deals. Check out where your shopping is cheapest at websites like My Supermarket or check out the tips from Money Saving Expert.

Top travel tips — Play your cards right and you can still have some cracking holidays this year on a budget. Firstly, get the cheapest flights by comparing flights at sites like Skyscanner. Also sign up to email alerts from budget carriers Ryanair and Easyjet to make sure you get the deals as soon as they?re available. Although Europe may beckon, staying local and holidaying in the UK guarantees some fantastic trips at cheaper prices. Rent a weekend cottage in Cornwall to catch some summer surf or take a tent to the Lakes District. Or for a great city break, head to Manchester or Bristol for some fab nightlife. Check out some of the best trips the UK ha s to offer by starting with some Lonely Planet Destination guides.

Household expenses — In the UK, there is big competition between the companies that supply gas, electricity and other utilities to your home. You should keep an eye on what you are being charged for these basic services and make sure you are getting the best deal possible. Check out website like Switchwise. There are also things you can do to reduce your bills each month. Talk to your supplier about getting discounts for paying by direct debit and make sure you call your supplier to give them meter readings each month to avoid your bill being calculated on an estimation (or with some suppliers you can do it online). It also sounds simple, but turning your heating off when you?re not in the house adds up to serious E?!

Find out more about UK living costs. Plus, how much can you earn in the UK?

What's on in the UK?

Don't let the snow bother you, just head outside for some of these great February events...

Waitangi Day London Pub Crawl (7 February) — After Australia Day celebrations rocked the capital, it's now the Kiwis' turn, as they celebrate their national day with the famous pub crawl across London's tube stations. The crawl kicks off in Paddington and stops off at various pubs along the way - billed as one of the biggest days out for New Zealanders in London, it's not to be missed. Don't forget your inflatable sheep.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition (until 26 April) — If you fancy something a little more subdued, but no less interesting, check out this renowned exhibition. Set up by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine, it features some of the most stunning wildlife photographs of the year. Catch it at London?s Natural History Museum before it embarks on a world tour. Adult tickets ?6.90. Photo caption ? David Maitland/Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008.

Pancake Races (24 February) — The tradition is said to have started 500 years ago when a woman in the town on Olney in Buckinghamshire was cooking pancakes when she heard the churchbell calling her, so she ran out of her house and rushed to church, still holding her frying pan and wearing her apron, tossing the pancakes into the air. These days, Pancake races are held across the UK to celebrate Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day: racers dress up in aprons, carry frypans and see who is the fastest - sounds really normal, right?


In every issue

WIN! Encounter guide to Lisbon

Dreaming of somewhere a bit warmer than the UK? Check out the new Lisbon Encounter guide from Lonely Planet - we have five copies to give away

Ideal for quick trips, the Lisbon Encounter book will guide you from the mournful wail of fado and enchanting palaces to the sharp bars, sleek design stores and Santa Caterina street parties that characterise this popular Portugese city.

If you want to to win a Lonely Planet Lisbon Encounter guide, just email us with 'LISBON' in the subject line(and your mailing address). Entries close end of February.

Winners of last month's ATHENS giveaway: Amanda McCann, NSW, Australia; Vlasta Vlaicevic, VIC, Australia; Helen Witton, London, UK; Catherine Sherwin, London, UK; Jessica Bird, Kent, UK

WORKgateways shows your favourite photos

We want to share your UK adventures - so every month we will select a photo you have sent us of a great memory from your travels in the UK or Europe. This month's winner is New Zealander, Melanie, who is currently in London.

"For my birthday, my brother and fiance surprised me with an ice skate at Somerset house and then we fell upon the fair in Leicester square where my brother won 'Laska' the husky and we took this fantastic photo." Melanie

To say thanks, we're sending Melanie a travel guide. So, to get your own goodie (a travel book or flight voucher) send us a photo of you enjoying your working holiday in the UK or on holiday in Europe and we'll send you a little something to say thanks. Email our newsletter editor with your favourite snap.


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