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Work and Travel in United Kingdom

Help us grow. share what you know about getting work in united kingdom for travellers., volunteer and paid work opportunities in united kingdom for travellers.

The United Kingdom (UK) is known for being one of the most expensive destinations in Europe. For those who want to travel in the UK, a volunteer role is one of the best ways to see the country without paying a lot for it. There are plenty of volunteer and paid work opportunities in the United Kingdom for travellers. The UK may not be part of the Schengen zone, but the majority of Western travellers will easily be able to take advantage of visas. Whilst you explore the four countries that make up the union, work in the UK and you’ll be left with memories that will last forever. Departing from the traditional travel guides for the United Kingdom, here are some of the volunteering opportunities in the UK you should look into. 1. Explore Archaeological Wonders in England and Wales The UK has a long, rich history which we’ve barely scratched the surface of. Sites around the UK are searching for archaeology students and trained professionals to give them a helping hand. Volunteer in the UK and you could be exploring old Roman sites in York or Bath. Experience levels will vary depending on the project, as will any opportunities for compensation. 2. Live in Self-Sufficient Communities A growing trend in the UK is self-sufficient communities. Communities of people from all backgrounds live together, grow their own food, and manage all repairs and household duties without outside help. They may also be in the form of housing cooperatives. Volunteer in the UK and you could join up with one of these communities. It’s an excellent chance to learn new skills and make new friends. You don’t need any experience to work and travel in the UK if you volunteer in a community like this. 3. Secure the Legacy of the UK with National Park Conservation Travel in the United Kingdom and you’ll see that much of the country is covered by national parks. National parks often run chiefly from volunteers. Volunteers from around the world are able to take part in national park conservation projects in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. No matter what skills you have as you travel in the UK, you’re surely going to find a position to suit you.

VOLUNTEER WORK VISA / PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR UNITED KINGDOM

The United Kingdom is notorious for having one of the strictest borders in the world. Thankfully, Western visitors should have few problems volunteering in the UK. If you’re from the European Union (EU) and want to travel in the UK, you can enter without a visa. You can also do volunteering and paid work in the country without a visa until the country leaves the EU, which at the earliest will be March 2019. But what if you’re outside the UK? Travellers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, and Korea can apply for the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme if they’re between the ages of 18 and 30. They also have to meet eligibility requirements. This allows them to take paid and unpaid work in the UK for up to two years. Many foreigners prefer to live and work in the UK long-term if they can secure this visa. It’s relatively easy to get due to reciprocal agreements the UK has with the countries involved. Furthermore, there are large communities of people on these visas in London and Manchester, so you won’t feel alone if you decide to stay here for a while. For travellers from countries like Russia, the US, and South Africa they will have to apply for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Charity Worker) visa. To work and travel in the UK you must have a position with a registered organisation and have full sponsorship from them. Take note that the UK usually takes at least a month or two to process visa applications.

SEASONAL BACKPACKER SKILLS NEEDED IN UNITED KINGDOM

Spring work.

Thistle Camps is the conservation project for Scotland that manages older buildings. Volunteers in the UK are needed especially in spring to manage new plant growth and many of the repairs that result from harsh winters. There are also equivalents in the other countries of the UK.

SUMMER JOBS

Summer is festival season in the UK and volunteers from around the world are able to act as stewards at festivals like the Leeds Festival, Reading Festival, and the iconic Glastonbury. Volunteer in the UK throughout summer and you can also join up with summer camps. Helping the kids out and maintaining a fun atmosphere is your only task.

Autumn is the time when many disabled centres and residential care homes conduct their residential holidays for their clients. Work and travel in the United Kingdom and you will be able to manage these themed holidays setup by charities. These getaways tend to be conducted throughout autumn in order to keep costs down.

Winter in the UK is not a time of great activity. In terms of volunteering in the UK, you’ll find projects that focus on social giving. Many homeless projects are desperately searching for volunteers at this time of year, even if it’s something as simple as handing out soup in kitchens. Believe it or not, these opportunities are not just confined to locals.

ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING IN UNITED KINGDOM

Working in the United Kingdom is one of the safest places you can work and travel in. The UK is an extremely diverse country with high levels of immigration. Don’t allow the media fear-mongering to deter you. The vast majority of people in this country regularly work with foreigners and someone from abroad volunteering is seen as nothing out of the ordinary. This is the same regardless of whether you decide to work in a rural area or an urban area. You’re sure to be welcomed with open arms when you enter the UK. Do you have any prior experiences you would like to share from working in the United Kingdom?

Recent Contributors

• Edited on Nov 25 2022 by
• Edited on Jan 15 2018 by Yara

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Jumpstart London

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Programme Perks

Pre-departure job guarantee, control where & when you work, pre-departure bed guarantee, central london housing, work at major festivals & events, uk essentials pack, bonus pub job pack, tour discounts, uk work visa add on, travel insurance add-on, live work play norway, live work play croatia, jumpart scotland, free live in pubs, comprehensive support and guaranteed jobs.

With Jumpstart London, The Working Holiday Club (TWHC) offers comprehensive support and guaranteed jobs for people looking to live and work in London. Jumpstart London is truly unique. We absolutely guarantee job placements with reputable employers before you even leave home, ensuring your financial security upon arrival in London.

Our exclusive partnerships provide reliable and affordable accommodation options, prioritizing your comfort and convenience. Long-Term Stability: Our long-term accommodations have no move-out dates, providing stability and reducing the stress of constantly searching for new housing.

In summary, Jumpstart London is designed to make your transition to living and working in London as smooth and enjoyable as possible. With guaranteed jobs, secure housing, and comprehensive support, it’s the best backup plan any traveller could ask for.

Our Job Roles & Venues

• Major Festival Jobs
• VIP Bar Staff
• Outdoor Events
• Events Bar Staff
• Indoor Hotel Events
• Front of House Jobs
• Back of House Jobs
• Kitchen Assistants
• Harrods Shifts
• Tate Modern
• Sporting Event Jobs
• VIP Weddings
• Ascot Racecourse
• Emirates Stadium
• Movie Premieres
• Royal Albert Hall
• Natural History Museum
• National Gallery
• Cafe & Bar Jobs
• Restaurant Jobs
• Residential Summer Camps
• London Day Camps
• London Cafe Barista’s
• Juice Bar Workers
• Live-In Carers
• Nanny-Au Pair
• Teaching Assistant
• Labourers - Construction
• Labourers - Removals
• Accounts Jobs
• Selfridges Shifts
• Science Museum

Includes the UK Essentials Pack

• National Insurance number
• UK bank account
• UK SIM card
• Ongoing support in the UK
• Available to use 24 months
• Access to closed Facebook groups
• Discounted hostel stays
• Discounted Bogan Bingo events
• London Pub Crawl
• London Walking Tour
• Meet & greet drinks
• Discounts on Travel/trips

Our Accommodation Options

Zone 1 central london.

• Single rooms
• Twin-share city rooms
• Triple-share city rooms
• Dormitory rooms
• 2 meals a day

3* Hotel Rooms

Leytonstone, east london.

• Budget backpacker rooms
• Single rooms with ensuite
• Double rooms with ensuite
• Rent week by week
• Bedding Provided

Share Houses

Zones 2 & 3, east & s/w london.

• 14 Flats in Fulham
• 18 Houses in East London
• Double rooms
• Fully furnished

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Make an enquiry today, so we can arrange a call and give you details about rates a day availability for your estimated travel

Our 2024 Festivals & Events Highlights

Get paid to work at events like these.

30 seconds to mars

Olivia Rodrigo

Kaleidoscope Festival

Red Bull Soap Box Race

Taylor Swift

Happy Place Festival

Noel Gallagher

Kew the Music

Wireless Festival

Henley Festival

Wilderness Festival

All Points East

Creamfields

Lost Village

Eastern Electrics

British Summertime

What country are you in, we have dedicated support teams for each country. please select the country you are applying from..

Jumpstart London Feebies

work & play norway

work & play scotland

work & play croatia

work & play UK Hotels

Make an enquiry today and learn how to freebies work with the Jumpstart London!

Jumpstart London Add-Ons

• Travel cancellation Protection
• Lost Baggage Protection
• National Insurance Number
• Emergency Medical Assistance
• Travel Assistance

• UK Work Visa Guarantee
• Money Back Guarantee
• UK Bank Account
• Pub Crawl & London Tour

UK Youth Mobility Visa Eligibility

Aged 18 -35 years

From January 2024 age criteria will change from 30 years to 35 years

Hold a passport from an eligible, partnered country

(Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, or Taiwan)

No criminal convictions

Have not had any criminal convictions in the last 12 months

Have No Dependants

(children or other) under the age of 18

Proof of Funds

Have access to the equivalent of £2530GBP (i.e. in your bank account for at least 28 days)

No previous UK Visa

Must not have taken part in the Youth Mobility Scheme or travelled on a UK Working Holiday Visa

Learn more about Jumpstart London

Jumpstart explainer videos

What is the jumpstart london, jumpstart london 2024, our city rooms - jumpstart london.

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Jumpstart london guides, jumpstart london brochure.

Accommodation in London

What type of accommodation can i expect.

• Dormitory-style rooms in Zone 1 (single rooms, twin shares, triple shares and four bed dorms).
• Studio-style rooms in Zone 1.
• Shared housing in Zones 2-3.
• Boutique hotel accommodation.

*Shared housing and Studio-style rooms are in high demand so can be limited in availability.

How do the Zone 1 dormitory-style rooms work?

Our partners have allocated 250 beds in Zone 1 for us, which is the rate between new arrivals and departing travellers. This type of accommodation is centrally located in the heart of London and is an all-inclusive dormitory property. You will be sharing with other Australians and New Zealanders on the Jumpstart, as well as international University Students.

Only one week’s deposit is required to secure your bed pre-departure, and then rent is paid on a weekly basis. Only one week’s notice is required to leave your accommodation.

Features of this accommodation:

• All Bills included as well as high-speed Wifi and SkyTV and Contents Insurance.
• Laundry Facilities.
• Shared Bathrooms.
• Reception assistance.
• Opportunity to volunteer at the property and stay rent-free!

There is a loyalty scheme in place if you're room sharing here - The longer you stay, the cheaper your rent gets - ask us for more info.

How does the shared housing work?

We have exclusive access to 20 shared houses and flats in East and West London, all within a 25 to 35-minute commute on the tube to central London.

Features of our shared housing accommodation:

• Rent includes all bills and free wifi.
• Rent paid weekly.
• Only two weeks notice to leave.
• No huge upfront costs - the bond is equal to 2 weeks’ rent.
• No long-term leases or lock-in contracts.
• Not liable to cover rent for other rooms if housemates move out.

Please note: Availability in our shared housing is limited. If this type of accommodation is your preference, you will start in one of the other types of accommodation on arrival (so you’ve got a bed guaranteed for your move-in when you touch down), and then once you are here, you will go on a waiting list. When there is a room available, and it is your turn on the waitlist, the property team will contact you to set up a viewing. You can go check out the room, and if you prefer it to your current accommodation, sign a tenant agreement for the house and make the swap to shared housing.

Why do I need to go on a waiting list for shared housing?

Shared housing is in high demand in London. On average there are about 30 people on a waiting list. You will start the program in our city rooms or the Sir Alfred Hitchcock Hotel, this way, When there is a room available, and it is your turn on the waitlist, the property team will contact you to set up a viewing. You can go check out the room, and if you prefer it to your current accommodation, sign a tenant agreement for the house and make the swap to shared housing.

How does the hotel-style accommodation work?

We partner with a boutique 3-star hotel to provide you with an option for hotel-style accommodation in London. The Sir Alfred Hitchcock Hotel is located in Leytonstone, East London. You can stay in a single ensuite room, or double ensuite room and pay rent on a week-by-week basis. To secure this type of room you must pay your first week of rent pre-departure.

Features of the Sir Alfred Hitchcock Hotel:

• Weekly rent.
• Kettle in every room with tea/coffee provided.
• Bedding & Towels.
• Cleaner - rooms and communal areas are services regularly.
• No big upfront costs - no bond required here, just the weekly rent.

Are we stuck in long leases?

No, not at all. All of our accommodation options are set up so that you can travel at short notice, with a 1 to 2-week notice period to leave your accommodation.

Will I live close to work?

Absolutely, all of our accommodation options are either in zones 1, 2 or 3 and all within walking distance of London underground stations.

Can I book with a partner or friend?

Yes! Our accommodation is great for not only solo travellers but also friends travelling together. There are twin share and double rooms across all of our accommodation options, in zone 1, the shared houses and the hotel accommodation.

Jobs in London

How do our job guarantees work.

TWHC works with our employment partners to guarantee you a job in London. The job guarantees include hospitality (events, festivals, bar work), labouring event crew and construction.

Features of our job guarantees:

• You will get registered with your guaranteed job during your first week in London, meaning you can start earning straight away.
• All our job guarantees are completely flexible work. There is no locked-in commitment period, or minimum work hours. You can pick and choose the shifts you’d like to do and cancel shifts within a 72-hour notice period. It’s totally flexible, great for travel and while you’re settling into London Life. You can stay in your job your whole time in London, or use it as a quick cash earning starting point while you settle in - it’s completely up to you.

Once you have arrived, if you wish to change positions to one of our many other additional employment opportunities (admin work, barista work, etc.), our support team will arrange an interview on your behalf. Please refer to ‘additional employment opportunities’ FAQ for more info.

The job guarantee is available for the length of your visa, you are more than welcome to try your hand at any job you like, and you are welcome to return to this if needed. Consider it your ultimate safety net.

What are my guaranteed job options?

Hospitality & events catering team.

This role involves working at festivals, concerts, 4 - 5 Star hotels, sports games, trendy restaurants & bars, and other VIP events . You can take on roles ranging from; bar staff, waiting staff, food runners, host & hostess & cloakroom.

No experience is needed, but you will be required to attend an induction (an introduction to Hospitality & Banqueting session) before we can send you to work.

Job Type: Flexible

Location: All around Central London (and outside London for festival work)

Training: Provided

Hours: Work as many hours as you want, and be paid hourly. Early shifts, late shifts, or even doubles. You pick and choose what days you want to work.

Outdoor Events, Crewing and Manual Labour Team

*This position is pending a skills and fitness test on induction day to ensure the applicant can meet the physical demands of the position.

The role involves working at festivals, concerts, sporting events, TV sets and other iconic UK venues (The Royal Albert Hall, The O2, Wembley Stadium, Tower of London and more!).

You will be doing the manual labour for the set up of events, which can include early morning set-ups, late night pack downs and other day events general labouring work. The work is varied - From stage setups to dragging waterproof covering on a football pitch to unloading stage equipment or putting up street barriers.

No experience is needed, but you will be required to take a skills and fitness text on induction day to ensure you can meet the physical demands of the position.

General Construction Labouring

General labouring jobs across Central London, assisting trades on construction sites. This is a Monday-to-Friday job, so if you are not keen on evening and weekend work, this one is for you.

*This position requires you to be physically strong and fit.

Location: All around Central London

Hours: Monday to Friday day shifts. Flexible work, accept shifts as you like.

Is the job travel-friendly?

Yes, all our guaranteed job opportunities are completely travel-friendly.

What sort of work will I be doing as part of the hospitality events team?

This is the best part about the job as it is so diverse. One day you could be waiting at a corporate function at one of London's top 5 star hotels, the next day you could be serving wine at a VIP celebrity party. You could be working at a luxury brand product launch as well as huge concerts at London's biggest arenas. And of course, being a part of the team working at all the best British music festivals throughout the summer. You can take on roles ranging from; bar staff, waiting staff, food runners, host/hostess & cloakroom.

Can I apply for other work while on the Jumpstart London program?

Yes you can. TWHC provides plenty of other job opportunities for you to apply for once you are in London, or you are welcome to try your hand at finding your own job in London. Our job guarantee jobs are flexible in nature so that you can select your shifts around interviews that you would like to attend with other employers and use this job as a fall-back option if you want to explore other opportunities while you're on your working holiday.

I have tattoos and piercings that I don’t want to take out, what are my options?

Our Events Hospitality work is suitable for those with tattoos and piercings.

What are the additional employment opportunities?

In addition to our job guarantees, TWHC works with a range of other employers to offer you additional employment options. These are not guaranteed and depend on availability and a successful application and interview.

Some of our additional job opportunities include:

• Restaurant-based work - Bar, food runner, waiter/waitress, host/hostess roles available.
• Teacher/Teaching Assistant roles.
• Cafe/Wine bar work - barista, waiter, front of house staff roles available.
• Professional Trades - from Electricians to General Labourers and everything in between.
• Admin/Reception work, entry-level and experienced roles available.
• Bar jobs - bar crew with options to live-in.

What is a UK Youth Mobility Visa?

• The UK Youth Mobility Visa allows 18 - 35 year olds you to work in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for a 2-year duration from the date you enter the United Kingdom. After two years, you have an option to extend your visa for another year.
• You are permitted to leave and re-enter the UK any number of times within this period.

What are the eligibility requirements for the Youth Mobility Visa?

To be eligible for the Youth Mobility visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• 18-35 years of age (at the time of application).
• Hold a valid Australian, New Zealand or Canadian passport.
• No criminal convictions in the last twelve months.
• Must have no children in your care.
• Be planning to arrive in the UK in the next 6 months.
• You will require 10 working days in the UK to collect a Biometric Card.
• Proof of funds £2530 available (you need a bank statement that shows that these funds have been in your account for at least 28 days consecutively at the time of application).

What are the processing times for a UK Youth Mobility Visa?

Processing times for the Visa can vary from 4-6 weeks so you will need to leave sufficient time to apply before your intended travel dates.

How far in advance should I apply for my UK Youth Mobility Visa?

• We recommend you apply at least 2 months before you intend to travel.
• There is a fast-track service however the British High Commission charges an additional fee for this.
• Once your Visa is granted, your passport will be returned to you with an entry clearance stamp for a 30-day duration, from the date you have chosen in your application.
• You will then be required to enter the UK within this period and pick up what is called your Biometrics Residency Permit.

What does the UK Youth Mobility Visa cost?

Your Visa Fees are payable to the British High Commission and include:

• Visa Application £298 GBP.
• Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) £1552 GBP.
• Visa Application Fee £298 GBP.

Potential additional costs:

• Applications from Brisbane, Canberra, or Perth, will incur an additional fee of $105 AUD to book your biometrics appointment.
• If you choose to have your passport couriered then this will cost $24AUD. You can however opt to pick this up from your appointment location centre.

These fees are non-refundable if your application is unsuccessful. In 2017 over 40% of first-time applicants were rejected because of simple omissions and commonly made mistakes. Because the Visa application is entirely computer-processed, applications can be rejected for errors as small as an incorrect date on a bank statement.

This is why we recommend using our visa service and taking the stress away. Our professional licensed migration agents will help you every step of the way to ensure your application is approved the first time around. 100% first-time approval guaranteed, or you will receive a full refund.

What if I have UK heritage in my family?

If you do, you may be eligible for the UK Ancestry Visa! This visa allows you to live and work unrestricted in the UK for up to 5 years.

Is it true that the 2-year Visa is now a 3-year Visa?

The UK Youth Moblity Visa is still a 2 - year visa, but you now have the opportunity to extend it for an extra year when you're over there. Once you have under 6 months left on your current Visa you can apply to extend your Visa for an extra year thus turning it into a 3-year Visa. which you must do whilst you're in the UK.

How much does it cost to extend my 2 year UK Youth Mobility Visa to 3 years?

In order to extend your Tier 5 YMS Visa, you will need to pay:

• the £298 application fee +
• the £776 immigration health surcharge

General Questions

How many spots are available.

Jumpstart London has a fixed intake calendar with a maximum of 15 new arrivals per week from February to November. January and December are traditionally blocked out.

We have 33 intake sessions in year.

What do I need to get started?

You need to provide an estimated arrival week and month so that we can check our availabilities before you sign up. This can be changed as often as you like, however, once you have committed to a deposit payment for a room you will be locked in on those days.

Will I be able to work with my partner or friend?

Yes you can as long as the employment opportunities you're going for is suitable for both of you. For example, our events crewing work and general labour is not suitable for those who are unable to lift heavy equipment.

Do I have to use your accommodation?

No but it is recommended to have a room on arrival to start with so that you can view other accommodation without any pressure.

What are important dates that I need to be aware of? Is there a recommended time to arrive?

You can start with us on the Jumpstart London program anytime between February to November.

Here is a breakdown of the year:

January - blocked out; we do not have any partners offering job guarantees to arrivals for January. However, if you do want to arrive in January, you can move into the accommodation and enjoy your time in London; work commences in early February.

February & March - February and March are a great time to arrive if you want to settle into London life before the weather starts heating up, work starts getting busy and Summer mode goes into full swing. Work is not quiet but it has not hit peak season yet. If you want to do festival work, please know it doesn’t begin until June.

April & May - The days are longer and work through our guaranteed jobs is buzzing (think celebrity events, the biggest sporting games & concerts). HOT TIP - April & May are a great time to go travelling if you want to avoid the peak summer crowds and prices.

June, July, August - These are TWHCs favourite months to be in London and travelling Europe. Jampacked with exciting work opportunities such as concerts (Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Nickelback, Doja Cat) and festivals (Kaleidoscope, All Points East, British Summer Time and more!). This is in addition to weekly shifts at some of London’s most iconic sites: Harrods, Selfridges, Natural History Museum, V&A and the National Gallery.

September, October & November - if you’re planning on spending the Summer travelling before moving to London, these months are perfect to settle into London life after your Euro Summer. There is plenty of work available. HOT TIP - These shoulder seasons are another great time to go travelling if you want to avoid the peak summer crowds and prices.

December - All work available on the Jumpstart London, indoor and outdoor events, and labour work will slow down towards the second last week of December. Very few of our partners would be looking to hire new starters in December; most will pre-hire a few months in advance for staff that is needed over the Christmas break, You are better off arriving at the end of January/Early February.

We recommend something other than December or January for arrival months if you need to start work immediately.

Accommodation availability, on the other hand, heaps of rooms become available over the Christmas break as a lot of people travel or head home for Xmas.

Festival Work

What is the festival work and how can i do it.

The festival work is included in our Hospitality Events work (one of your guaranteed job options). This work is app-based where you pick and choose your shifts based on your own availability.

Throughout the year this work involves working at VIP events, sports stadiums, museums, and galleries. During the Summer months there is a range of festival and concert work available. Including:

Parklife 8th - 9th July British Summer Time 29th - 30th June, 4th - 7th July, 12th - 14th July Kew the Music 8th - 14th July Henley Festival 10th - 14th July Wireless 12th - 14th July Happy Place Festival 13th - 14th July Bestival 25th - 28th July Wilderness 1st - 4th August Creamfields 22nd - 25th August Lost Village 22nd - 25th August Eastern Electrics 24th August And more!

Olivia Rodrigo 14th - 18th May Nickelback 21st May Jimmy Carr 13th June Doja Cat 14th June Bombay Bicycle Club 12th July Tom Odell 19th July Noel Gallagher 20th July Taylor Swift 21st - 23rd June, 15th - 20th August And more!

When you are working at a festival that is outside of London for several days in a row - you will likely be provided with free camping accommodation. The rates for the work range upwards of £12.50, and there is no commitment period, you could just work one festival if you like.

Live-In jobs

What are live-in jobs.

Live-in jobs are when your employer provides your accommodation (usually on-site) for a discounted price. We have a range of live-in hotel and bar jobs all over the UK.

How can I swap to a Live-In job?

All participants should start our program in London. Your first job guarantee and housing guarantees are offered in London.

However, after you’ve started in London and have set up all your UK life admin with our support team, you’re welcome to switch to a live-in job. You can do this at any point during your visa. Our support team will advise you on the current availabilities and set you up for an interview.

Our live-in hotel jobs and live-in bar jobs are offered based on availability and a successful interview outcome.

Can I apply for a live-in job pre-departure?

If there are spots available that coincide with your arrival date, then yes you can apply for a live-in role pre-departure.

What are your Live-in job offers?

We have a range of live-in jobs including;

Live-In hotel jobs in Sidmouth, Devon. We work with several hotels located in this beautiful seaside town where you can live out your UK coastal dream. Roles range from general housekeeper, waiter, bar staff, barista and chambermaid.

Live-In hotel jobs in the Scottish Highlands. We work with several hotels located in the gorgeous Scottish highlands, perfect for nature lovers. Roles range from waiter, housekeeper, bar staff, barista and reception.

Live-In hotel jobs in the Channel Islands. Work and live on some of the UKs most gorgeous islands. Each of the hotels have their own story to tell which make them the characterful and charming venues they are today, some with tales of royal owners and famous guests and others steeped in history. Roles range from waiter and bar staff.

Get In Touch

Contact details.

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18 Best Working Holiday Maker Jobs in the UK

by Sharyn McCullum | Last updated Mar 1, 2023 | London and UK Live Work and Play , Work Abroad Backpacker Jobs

Waiting Tables is a Popular Working Holiday Job in the UK

So you’re off to the UK for a working holiday and you plan to get a job. You are probably wanting to know what job types are available and how you will get a job, right? In this post I will cover the most popular working holidays jobs in the UK and how you can find one. Let’s get into it!

Table of Contents

Where will you Work in the UK?

Before I get into the most popular working holiday jobs you can do as a working holiday maker in the UK, you might want to know where the work is. Check out my map following for a quick overview of what is available and where. Most people on a UK working holiday set themselves up in London. London offers the most opportunities and has a working holiday infrastructure of employment agencies set up. But don’t forget the other capital cities of Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast. Also other major cities of York, Liverpool, Manchester, Bath , or Aberdeen as you could find work there too. Even in the countryside, in the villages jobs become available in a variety of fields.

Map of UK Showing Where the Working Holiday Jobs Are – reproduced from Live Work and Play in London and the UK ebook

How to Find a Job in the UK?

Most working holiday makers to the UK find a job via a number of ways. The most popular ways are through newspapers and trade magazines, travel brochures, recruitment websites such as Seek, Facebook groups, fellow travellers, hostels and the most popular option, recruitment agencies.  

Have a Copy of your CV, Qualifications and References Available

To get a job you will need to apply, and any future employers will want to see your CV, qualifications and references. Ensure you have copies of these available, preferably electronic copies so you can easily email them. Employers will also want to see your working holiday visa or any other visa allowing you to work in the UK and require your bank details to pay you.

Popular Working Holiday Jobs in the UK

Please note, the following jobs are listed in alphabetical order and any agencies listed are mentioned because they are happy to place working holiday makers into jobs. So these are the most popular jobs that working holiday makers find. Just because your profession isn’t listed doesn’t mean that type of work doesn’t exist, it does and if you want to find work in the same field you are currently working in, there would be a recruitment agency available for you to register with.  

Accounting, Banking and Financial Jobs

The first on my list of popular working holiday jobs in the UK are accounting, banking and financial jobs. London is the heartland of the UK’s financial services centre and working holiday makers with accounting, banking and financial backgrounds are in demand. In fact, if you have overseas qualifications (which are recognised) you are often sought after. The majority of employers are based in two areas – the older ‘City’ and the modern glass towers and skyscrapers of the Docklands. However, there are a number of other locations in and around London. There are jobs also in the home counties (those around London). In addition, some of the UK’s other major cities have vibrant financial districts including the historic Scottish towns of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Most working holiday makers find a job through specialist recruitment agencies such as Goodman Masson, Hays Personnel, Michael Page and Robert Walters Associates. Pay rates are good and depending on the job you are doing expect to receive £15+ per hour

TIP : Dress conservatively. Males will need to wear a suit and tie (with a bowler hat and briefcase optional! Kidding). Some offices have a no-pants policy for females so either a skirt and shirt or a corporate suit should be worn. Work clothes can be bought once you arrive.  

If you’ve heard the saying ‘there’s a pub on every corner’–well, it’s true. And this is why it is one of the most popular working holiday jobs in the UK. Even if you haven’t pulled a beer before the guv’nor (the owner or manager of the pub) may take you on (maybe only on a trial basis) to see how you cope with serving crowds, using the tills and eftpos machines and how well you interact with customers, especially the locals.  

Many working holiday makers (singles and couples) find a position in London however, positions can be found all over the UK – as every town has a pub or two. Live-in bar work is popular and is great for working holiday makers as it takes care of finding somewhere to live and work at the same time. The hours can be long and often hard but it is a great way to meet people. You will receive a small wage, free or subsidised accommodation which might be your own room or you may share it with another employee and meals (usually only while you’re on duty). Live-in employees can expect to receive a wage of about £250+ per week in London and about £20 less in the rest of the UK. Some pubs pay an hourly rate of around £10+ per hour. You may also get tips on top of your wage.  

To get a job in a pub you can walk in and ask if any jobs are available or contact agencies such as Live-in-Jobs, London Pub Co, UK Live In Jobs and Walkabout which is a chain of Australian pubs. Many working holiday makers work and travel their way around the UK by doing stints in pubs in different areas.

TIPS: Beers are not served with much of a head so practise pouring them this way. Also, ice isn’t put into drinks automatically, so ask the punter if they would like ice. Use a clean glass for each drink unless the customer hands their old glass back to you which you may refill–check with the supervisor about this.  

Barista Jobs are Popular Working Holiday Jobs in the UK

Tea is king in the UK, but coffee is queen! Everyone loves a good coffee in the UK which means there are jobs for baristas. Plenty of coffee shops have international working holiday makers making coffees so if you’ve got the skills, then why not get a barista job. This type of job is very portable as positions can be available throughout the UK, and beyond! It one of the most popular working holiday jobs in the UK.

Care Work  

You do not necessarily need to be qualified, experienced or female to undertake care work. As long as you are caring, patient, honest, reliable, have a first aid certificate and an up-to-date police check you should be able to secure work. You may also be asked to apply for a DBS Check (Disclosure and Barring Services). This checks your details against the Children’s and Vulnerable Adult register.  

Care work ranges from being a companion to someone providing personal care. Nurses who don’t want to go through the registration process often take care work. Positions can be live-in, so you will have your accommodation and meals provided. The daily rate is anywhere between £90 and £140 but the rate you receive is set according to the hours of work, the experience required by the client and your qualifications. Positions can be found from advertisements in The Lady magazine. Agencies to contact for a care work job include Aunt Jessica Cares , Christies Care  and ENA Care Agency .

Chefs, Cooks and Kitchen Hands

Everybody’s gotta eat right? And people in the UK are no different. This is good news for chefs of all levels and specialities, cooks and kitchen hands. With the array of eateries ranging from local cafes to Michelen star rated restaurants you shouldn’t be without work for too long! Even better news is you can get a job anywhere in the UK because there are many cafes and restaurants throughout. So if you want to work and travel your way around the UK, finding a job as a chef, cook or kitchen hand is a great option. Many find a job by walking into an establishment and asking if any jobs are going. Plus many jobs are advertised in Tuesday’s Evening Standard in the section known as ‘the menu page’. There are many agencies you can register with as well including The Admiral Group, Chef Centre and Towngate Personnel .

TIP : Chef’s may need their own set of knives. Either take them with you or budget to buy some on your arrival in the UK.

Fruit and Vegetable Picking

Picking Fruit is a Popular Working Holiday Job in the UK

Jobs can be found picking fruit and vegetables in different parts of the UK. What a great way to discover parts of the UK you may not have considered visiting. If you have never done this kind of work before, the first few days will be a big learning experience as you adapt to working outside in all sorts of weather conditions. Jobs can differ greatly from picking root vegetables to climbing in fruit trees. Before you take on a fruit or vegetable picking job confirm what is included like accommodation, whether you need your own equipment such as secateurs and the hours you will be working. And most importantly, how much and how you will be paid. Rates of pay can be calculated either by an hourly rate or on how much you pick.  

If you are interested to pick fruit and vegetables in the UK you can find positions advertised in Farmer’s Weekly and Farmer’s Guardian. You could register with a recruitment agency such as Fruitful Ltd and Picking Jobs .

TIP : Dress for the weather you will be working in. Fingerless gloves and a waterproof jacket will be your best friends.

Farming Jobs  

There is a demand for skilled tractor drivers, machinery operators for operating the larger farm equipment.  Also semi-skilled workers for operating the smaller, less complicated equipment. Non-seasonal work you could find includes working with livestock – dairy farming, sheep, beef, pigs and chickens. General farm work includes feeding animals, grooming horses, shepherding and general assistance in the running of the farm.  

Knowing when to pitch your talents is a good place to start so following is a rough guide as to what is available and when.

Year round : fruit and vegetable picking, grading potatoes and onions, tree planting, milking, fencing, general farm work. Spring : lambing assistants in Scotland and Wales from January to April, calving, tractor drivers to plough the fields. Shearers are required May to July. Summer : harvest time, baiting hooks for salmon fishers, stalkers for deer and pheasant shoots Autumn : planting next seasons crops Winter : turkey plucking for Christmas. Beef farming expect work between February and May.  

Work is often advertised in the Farmer’s Weekly magazine and on their website. Agencies to contact include 4xtrahands.com and for dairy jobs LKL Services .

Hostel and Other Accommodation Jobs

There are many hostels and other types of accommodation where you could get a job while on your UK working holiday. Accommodation options, particularly hostels, B&Bs and budget hotels are often staffed by working holiday makers. Jobs that need filling are on reception, cleaning and housekeeping of rooms, maintenance and preparing and serving breakfasts. Many of the positions are live-in which takes care of finding somewhere to live and a job at the same time. One of the best ways to find such work is to ask where you are staying or walk in off the street and ask if any jobs are available. Or check out the HostelWorld website. Even though this site is for booking a hostel, you can use the contact details to directly approach the hostel for work.

READ MORE : How to Find a Job in a Hostel 

Information Technology (IT)  

IT professionals can find contract work in the UK. Positions range from technical, network and help desk support to analysts/programmers and project managers working on everything from main-frame, open system platforms to personal computers.   Work is available on a contract basis for varying lengths of time, which will fit in perfectly for those of you who to want to travel between assignments. Positions can be found through the newspapers, employment websites such as Careerbuilder and Monsterboard or through a specialist recruitment agency of which there are many. A couple to contact for a job include Contractor UK and Project People . Many IT jobs are outsourced to remote workers thanks to the pandemic so check out sites such as Fiverr to get a job.

Medical and Health Care Staff

Medical and health care specialists will need to be registered with the appropriate UK body to work in the UK in their chosen field. It can be a long and expensive process to get your registration so many seek jobs in other fields. To find out more about registering check out the following. Once you have your registration you can register with recruitment agencies to find a position.

Pharmacists –  Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain   Dentists  – General Dental Council Doctors –   General Medical Council Health Professionals – Health Professionals Council

Nannies, Mannies, Mother’s Helps and Au Pairs

Being a nanny, manny, mothers’ help or au pair are popular working holiday jobs

Having a nanny, manny (male nanny), mother’s help or Au Pair is part of the British way of life. Many UK families find it quite prestigious to have an Australasian who is considered part of the family. You don’t necessarily need qualifications either. Having a caring attitude, a driver’s licence (a manual one is preferred) and childcare-related references matter more. Though a qualification will enhance the number of positions available to you. A police check from your home country is a must. You may be required to get a police check from the UK. More details available at the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service).

If you are wondering the difference of the names here’s a brief overview. A nanny/manny is responsible for looking after the child/children. As parents are often working professionals, positions can be ‘sole charge’ which means you have total responsibility for the child/children in their parents absence. Duties include entertaining them, getting them up in the morning, dropping them off and picking them up from school. As well as taking them to ballet, music, swimming lessons or whatever, tidying up after them, feeding them and bathing them.  

A mother’s help does just that, helps the mother with her duties. These can include looking after the children, running errands, shopping, washing, light housework, cooking and generally helping out.

  An Au Pair is usually someone young who has come to improve their language skills while living with a family. In return for food and board and a wage duties will include mostly looking after children and generally helping out where required.  

Most nanny, manny, mother’s help and Au Pair positions are live-in which includes your own room, meals, use of the car. Maybe even overseas holidays–but you are usually looking after the children during these holidays. Live-out positions aren’t as common as live-in ones. Live-in salaries can range from £220+ net per week while live-out salaries range from £250+ net per week.  

Positions are advertised in the free ex-pat traveller magazines and The Lady magazine available in newsagents. You can register with a specialist nanny recruitment agency such as Empire Nannies , KiwiOz Nannies or Poppy Lane Placements .  

Overseas trained nurses are a highly prized species in the UK. You shouldn’t be without work if you have the right qualification and get your UK registration. To practise as a nurse or midwife in the UK you need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) . Once you have your registration the choice of work available is wide and varied and can be in either NHS (National Health Service) or private hospitals. Many nurses find a position through specialist nursing recruitment agencies such as BNA Nursing Association, Nurses4London ,  and Strand Nurses Bureau . Nurses who don’t obtain registration often find a nanny or care work job.

Office Support (Reception, PA, Administration)

Working in an office in the UK is a popular working holiday maker job

Anyone with secretarial or admin skills will find it easy to obtain work. This is especially the case during summer as this is when most British employees take their annual holidays. The skills required for such work are wide and varied. You don’t need them all to secure a job but the more the merrier. Skills required can include audio typing with a typing speed of at least 60 wpm and shorthand of around 80 wpm. If you can use different word processing packages, have a knowledge of spreadsheets, the ability to use a switchboard, have a confident phone manner, can file and photocopy can make and tea and coffee – you should have enough skills to get a job.  

Positions can be found in a broad range of areas. Some jobs require specialist secretarial and administrative skills such as medical, bilingual, legal, media, property and banking.  Rates of pay range from £12+ per hour for data entry and £15+ per hour for an audio typist/secretary and PA. You should be paid according to the skills you use on the assignment. Specialist secretaries (legal and medical with around one or two years’ experience) can expect to earn £1 or £2 more. And are highly sort after. Recruitment agencies to contact include Office Angels , Drake International and Manpower.   

TIP : Dress codes are conservative; the navy suit and string of pearls is alive and well. Many offices have a no-pants (trousers) policy for females. Males must wear a suit and tie. It’s advisable to dress up on the first day, see what the others are wearing and then dress accordingly.  

Snow Jobs in Ski Centres

Many working holiday makers experience a snow season in the Scottish Highlands . There are five main ski centres to find a job – the Lecht, Nevis Range, Cairngorm, Glenshee and Glencoe. The ski season generally runs from November/December to the middle of May. This does depend on the white stuff though. Ski resorts need hospitality staff for their restaurants and cafes and ski and snowboard instructors are in demand on the ski fields. Along with lift operators and maintenance people. Accommodation isn’t usually provided so before you take on a position organise a place to live. Some of the resorts have a work bus to get you to and from the resorts and some resorts are small and don’t have accommodation on the mountain. Positions are sometimes advertised in the newspapers, or you could obtain a ski Scotland brochure to get contact details of the resorts.

READ MORE : How to get a job in a Scottish Ski Resort

Overseas qualified teachers such as those from Australia, New Zealand and Canada are highly regarded in schools in the UK.   Positions can be for a day, week or term or more. A good agency will help you acclimatise, educationally as well as socially. If you want to work in London, be prepared to travel as work can be found all over Greater London. It is a good idea to find somewhere to live first, and then approach agencies that can place you in positions in the area you are living.  

The school year runs from September to July in the UK and has three terms. The best times for finding long-term teaching jobs are in early September, when the school year begins and March through May. The busiest times for day-to-day supply work in the schools are October, November and January through to March. The end of April to mid-July can sometimes be busy too, though secondary school work tends to tail off once exams are under way at the end of May.  

To find work, look in newspapers like The Guardian on a Tuesday, and The Times Education Supplement (this does not come with The Times; it is a separate newspaper), on a Friday. Or contact a specialist teaching recruitment agency such as ANZUK Education , Protocol Teachers and Timeplan .

TIP : Dress is smart/casual–no jeans on the first day. Dress up the first day and then dress accordingly. Your agency should be able to advise you on what to wear. You will come in contact with a diverse range of students and although leggings may be fashionable, they may not be appropriate in Hindu or Muslim schools. You will need to be sensitive to ethnic diversity.

Technical, Trades, Labouring and Industrial Jobs

Jobs in the building industry are popular working holiday jobs

If you already work in technical, trades, general labouring and industrial professions you will know the variety of positions available. Briefly jobs are classified as follows.  

Technical (built industry): engineers, draughtsmen, architects, inspectors, tracers, town planners, etc. Trades : electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, boilermakers, etc. General labouring : labourers, process workers, dock hands, etc. Industrial : store people, forklift operators, drivers, stock takers, fitters, riggers, etc.  

Most positions require a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) . Once you have this register with an agency for jobs. Agencies such as Eden Brown or Anders Elite for a technical job. If seeking a job as a tradie contact Extraman or Olympic Industrial Staff .

TIP : Bring suitable work clothes, ie. Appropriate shoes, tools (or budget to buy some on arrival).  

Waiting Tables

The last job on my list of popular working holiday jobs in the UK is waiting tables. Waiting tables is a universal profession. With the number of eateries in London and throughout the UK, you should be able to pick up work. The work available ranges from working in fast food outlets, pubs, restaurants, cafes to private parties. Bring full black and whites with you and the waiter’s friend, a bottle opener. Some places, like pubs, provide a uniform (usually a T-shirt) that you wear with a pair of jeans. Positions and agencies are advertised in the papers Some eateries place an advertisement in their window or simply walk in and ask.

Other Jobs in the UK that Pay  

Jobs listed above are the most popular jobs working holiday makers to the UK find however, there are plenty of other jobs available too. You could busk, become a bike courier, be a housekeeper, gardener or butler. Maybe work at a gym as a personal trainer or  start your acting career on stage. Possibly muck stables on a stud farm, report for a newspaper or walk dogs. Start your own little business and cut hair or provide facials and massages at a spa. Get a job in a summer camp or a travel agency. Teach English or start a side hustle or a business online. More jobs and contact details for landing jobs can be found in my ebook Live Work and Play in London and the UK .

Are you Ready to Get a Job in the UK?

So these are the most popular jobs working holiday makers get while on a UK working holiday. Which will you choose? Will you try to find a job in your current profession or try something new? Whatever you decide to do, know there are work opportunities in the UK for you. If you have worked in the UK or want to ask a question about the above jobs, I would love to hear in the comments following.

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Sharyn McCullum – Travel Writer / Blogger, Remote On-line Worker, sometime Digital Nomad and Travel, Live and Work Abroad Expert. Is a chocoholic, coffee connoisseur and lover of ’80s music. Been travelling all her life thanks to her dad who worked for an airline. Lived in London 4 years on a working holiday. Has holidayed in Hawaii over 15 times and currently calls Melbourne, Australia home. Is inspiring others to get the live work play travel lifestyle with this blog. Read more about Sharyn here.

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I quit my desk job to work on cruises 10 years ago. It has its drawbacks, but I've seen 79 countries.

• Years ago, I quit my desk job in NYC to work as an entertainment host for a major cruise line.
• The first few weeks were overwhelming, but I quickly adjusted to the lifestyle.  
• The living quarters were incredibly small, and there were mandatory weekly inspections.  

After I graduated from college with a journalism degree, I got a job at a highly regarded publication in New York City.

However, my two-hour commute and crowded cubicle were anything but glamorous. I started getting stress-induced bald spots  and endlessly scrolled through Instagram, desperate to find a way to make a living as a nomad .

When I learned that onboard cruise-ship employees get a paycheck while traveling and meeting new people every day, I auditioned to be an entertainment host for a major cruise line . When I got the job, I left New York for good on my first contract, which lasted seven months.

Now, I've worked on cruise ships for nearly a decade and have visited 79 countries. Here are seven things that first surprised me most about working on a cruise .

I've barely met any other Americans working on cruise ships

The first day I boarded a cruise ship, my crew members coined me "Erica from America" since I was just one of nine American employees.

I've noticed similar numbers since. Crew members come from all over the world, and I've always found a very small percentage of Americans working on board.

Even years later, everyone in my life calls me Erica from America — and it's the name on my TikTok handle .

The first week of working on a ship can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful 

Safety is the most important thing on cruises. So, whether a crew member is a brand-new hire or they've been working there for 20 years, they have to complete safety training during the first few weeks — and that's in addition to their regular job prep.

Between presenting all of my medical paperwork to officers to learning about fire codes, I've always found the crews' onboarding process intimidating.

The first day I walked on a ship, I learned how to operate a deadly, watertight door. I cried in the bathroom every day for a week straight. The requirements were a lot to handle, especially after hours of travel, but life on board got so much easier after the first few weeks.

The crew cabins are seriously cramped

On the ships where I've worked, the crew cabins are about half the size of a walk-in closet, and the wardrobes have just enough space to fit five hangers on each side. Not to mention, I've usually lived in those tiny spaces with two other employees I don't know.

The cabins typically also have a mini fridge and a flat-screen TV that can swing to face the top bunk.

The bathroom is usually so tiny that I can bathe, brush my teeth, and use the toilet without taking barely any steps. Showers are often so small that the curtain clings to my butt when I'm in it.

My roommates and I also have to prepare for mandatory cabin inspections once per week, which is when staff checks that our quarters are orderly.

The dating culture is dramatic but can also be amazing

I expected to experience college-like drama on the ship, but the reality was even wilder.

As a crew member, I'm often surrounded by adults who are away from home for nine months at a time, working extremely hard, and trotting around the world.

Some are married, some are single, and some are married but "single" on ships. Many of the people I meet are truly amazing partners, but others are not. Life on a ship brings many heartbreaks, but it also leads to plenty of amazing love stories.

It wasn't hard for me to adjust to the lifestyle

Working on a ship isn't for everyone, and I've seen many people quit within their first month.

Some crew members work eight to 12 hours per day, with no days off, for seven months straight. However, my coworkers love this lifestyle and their jobs. If you don't, you probably won't make it very long on board. 

Working on a ship, we wake up in a different country virtually every day and appreciate every free moment. Being part of such an amazing group of people is the most special experience I've ever had. I feel such a sense of community and morale with the other crew members.

Contracts can vary, but I often have time to relax for a few months between them where I can eat junk food, sleep all day, and catch up on pop culture. 

Crew life is a blast, even after work

Cruise-ship crews are known for partying after work, and in my experience, that's partially true. However, there are very strict alcohol policies for the staff when they're working, so learning a level of self-control is crucial.

There's usually an onboard bar for crew members, where the drinks are cheap and the parties are so much fun. Ships usually have a human-resource team on board that plans events for the crew, offers support, and organizes onshore crew tours.

Some cruise employees, like entertainment hosts, get more time off in the ports than others because they don't interact with guests as much when the ship is docked. I've been lucky to explore parts of the world I never thought I'd see in person. I've gone dogsledding in Alaska, run around Petra, and gone cave-diving for glowworms in New Zealand.

This journey can feel full of love but also lonely 

Although I've made amazing friends who feel like family since boarding my first ship, I realized that I'm truly on my own throughout this journey.

It's special to be surrounded by hundreds of crew members and passengers, but no one will ever experience things exactly the same way I do.

I feel close to other crew members because of our shared lifestyle on the water. However, when I return home from a contract, I sometimes find it harder to relate to land-based friends and family. Still, I'm so lucky to have a supportive family who visits me a lot.

It's hard to describe my lifestyle to people who have never experienced ship life . The truth is that I can feel lonely at times, but living on the ships is the most enthralling and fulfilling thing I've ever chosen to do. 

This story was originally published on May 10, 2021, and most recently updated on July 9, 2024.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Keir Starmer is about to enter the world stage as PM – here’s what to expect

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When a married couple reaches their 75th anniversary, the traditional present is a diamond.

With the prospect of Nato sceptic Donald Trump returning to the White House as president, no one is heading to Tiffany yet to celebrate the anniversary of the organisation just yet.

Sir Keir Starmer has barely settled into his new office Number 10 before having to jet off to Washington tonight for the summit, which will mark 75 years of the alliance.

For Britain’s new prime minister, this will be his entrance to the world stage after the Labour Party booted Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives from power .

But Nato is in trouble. Instead of a celebration, leaders are faced with Russia’s war in Ukraine, the rise of the far right on both sides of the pond and the possibility of Trump’s reelection.

The summit is projected to be a test, both for the PM – who has much to achieve in his first 100 days – and US president Joe Biden, who is facing the presidential election in November.

When and where is the Nato summit this week?

Washington will host its first Nato summit in 25 years, starting from July 9 until 11.

The transatlantic alliance was created on April 4, 1949, and it has since expanded from 12 founding members to 32 member countries.

Leaders already celebrated the 75th anniversary on April 4 at the headquarters in Brussels.

But it will also be marked at the summit in Washington, where its founding treaty was signed. 

Who will be in attendance alongside Keir Starmer?

Leaders from all 32 member nations are heading to the event, plus Pacific partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.

Ukrainian president Volodymy Zelensky will also attend as it is expected that allied leaders will pledge increasing support to his country.

It comes hours after the Russian onslaught on the Ohmatdyt National Specialised Children’s Hospital in Kyiv, the heaviest on the Ukrainian capital in several months.

A total of 38 people were killed and almost 200 more wounded in bombardments on cities across the country.

Meanwhile, the summit is expected to be one of Biden’s last appearances at an international forum before Election Day and comes before next week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

He has sought to spotlight his commitment to the alliance while making the case to voters that Trump would turn his back on Nato if he were to return to the White House.

Emmanuel Macron will also be rushing to Washington days after losing much of his political power in the French snap election. 

Viktor Orban is one of the leaders to watch at the summit. The Hungarian prime minister’s approach to ending the war in Ukraine has most recently involved a trip to Moscow for a chat with Vladimir Putin and then to Beijing for a meeting with chairman Xi Jinping.

These were both a surprise for his allies in Nato.

A critic of Western military aid to Ukraine and the EU leader with the warmest relations with Russia and China, Orban is in hot waters with other leaders who will be at the event.

Leaders from both Finland and Sweden will in attendance, after rushing to join the alliance in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

What is being discussed?

Away from the photo-ops – and behind closed doors – the summit is expected to be intense, as it comes at a key moment for the security alliance.

Ukraine’s stalling war effort and a potential second Trump presidency will be at the centre of discussions.

Bloodshed on Ukraine’s biggest children hospital in Kyiv

In response t o yesterday’s assault on the hospital in Kyiv , president Zelensky said Ukraine would retaliate and called on his Western allies to give a firm response.

It is expected that Nato will announce ‘increased support’ to Ukraine – but what that may entail remains a mystery.

Attacking innocent children. The most depraved of actions. We stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression – our support won’t falter. https://t.co/Ujb28O48EB — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 8, 2024

There is speculation that the alliance could lift all restrictions on Zelensky’s forces to attack Russian territory with Western-supplied weapons.

The president said during a visit to Poland that he hopes the summit will provide more air defence systems for Ukraine.

Nato is also expected to announce details of Ukraine’s pathway to a membership into the alliance, which is built around the foundational agreement that an attack on one is an attack on all members.

The alliance has maintained it will not bring Ukraine into the fold until after end of the war with Russia.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said leaders will discuss a coordination center in Germany to help train, equip and coordinate logistics for Ukraine forces for its expected eventual accession.

So, it is no surprise that Russia will be following the discussions in Washington closely over the next 72 hours.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Russia considered Nato to be fully involved in the conflict in Ukraine.

Russia’s ‘friendship’ with North Korea

Away from Putin’s war, South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has said he would stress to the alliance the increasing threat North Korea’s ‘military friendship’ with Russia poses.

He said: ‘Military co-operation between Russia and North Korea poses a distinct threat and grave challenge to the peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in Europe.’

Whatever relationship there was between South Korea and Russia has soured in the last two years amid Putin’s ballistic missiles and artillery deal with Kim Jong-un.

Both Russia and North Korea deny such deals.

Russia has called South Korea ‘the most friendly among unfriendly countries’, with Putin saying it would be making ‘a big mistake’ if it decided to supply arms to Ukraine.

South Korea protested when Putin visited Pyongyang in June and signed a treaty that covers mutual defence.

‘North Korea is clearly a menace to the international society,’ Yoon said in his comments.

‘I hope that Russia will sensibly decide which side – the South or the North – is more important and necessary for its own interests.’

There has also been an increase on cyber threats directed against Nato and member states, so this may also be a key discussion.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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Money blog: US fast food chain to open 60 restaurants in UK - with dish you have to sign waiver to eat

Welcome to the Money blog, your place for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Leave a comment or your Money Problem/consumer dispute (don't forget to leave a contact number/email) in the box below.

Tuesday 9 July 2024 19:03, UK

• Which is cheapest supermarket once you include Clubcard and Nectar?
• US fast food chain to open 60 restaurants in UK - with dish you have to sign waiver to eat
• Dyson to cut 1,000 UK jobs following global workforce review
• Price of a cuppa could rise as tea leaves cost up 20% in a week

Money blog essential reads

• Basically... What are the different ways of paying for a car?
• Women in Business : From blackouts to CEO - how burnout helped create UK's biggest venue booking platform
• Best deals on school uniform ahead of new academic year
• Further reading: Ian King answers your questions on what Labour government means for your personal finances

Ask a question or make a comment

Move out the way Chick-fil-A, another viral American fast food chain is about to launch in the UK. 

Dave's Hot Chicken has announced it will open restaurants in 60 locations across the UK and Ireland, with the first coming early next year. 

The social media sensation is known for its jumbo chicken sliders, sliders and bites. 

They can each be ordered in seven different spice levels from no spice to reaper, which is so hot you have to sign a waiver to eat it. 

"We know there is an opportunity to make Dave's Hot Chicken one of the iconic restaurant brands, and we do that by partnering with incredible operators, like Azzurri Group," said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave's Hot Chicken.

"The flavour of Dave's Hot Chicken resonates across borders, and we're looking forward to the first UK store getting open soon." 

The chain is coming to the UK after it signed an agreement with Azzurri Group - one of the country's biggest hospitality investment platforms.

The group already operates Italian restaurants Zizzi, Ask Italian, and Coco di Mama as well as the fast casual Mexican restaurant Boojum. 

Dave's Hot Chicken was originally founded by three friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan and Tommy Rubenyan, who spent $900 to launch in a car park in 2017. 

Since then, it has grown rapidly with more than 200 restaurants now open across the US. 

It has also garnered the attention of famous investors like singers Drake and Usher, and actor Samuel L Jackson. 

The move to the UK comes after a recent expansion by Popeyes and an upcoming launch by Chick-fil-A. 

EE has launched a subscription service designed to protect users from nuisance calls and scams.

Called Scam Guard, the system will use AI to spot likely spam calls and alert users to them.

It will also notify the owner if their personal information has been found on the dark web, and offer tips on how to secure any in-danger accounts. 

Anti-virus and malware protection for two devices and tools for stronger password creation can be included as well.

The mobile operator is offering the service to pay-monthly phone customers, starting from £1 a month. 

EE, which is part of the BT Group, said it hoped the system would eliminate the stress of cybersecurity and educate users on the subject. 

It comes after government research published earlier this year showed 40% of crime committed across the UK was fraud-based, and almost all phone users experienced nuisance calls on a regular basis.

"We have always prioritised the protection of our customers and our investment in Scam Guard is something we are all incredibly proud of," said Helen Burrows, policy director for BT. 

"This is something we take seriously, and while we already block an impressive number of scams, there is always more that we can do. Scam Guard covers all bases, so customers can feel safer on our network."

Aldi will open 10 new stores across the UK this summer.

The German supermarket chain has already opened stores in Skelmersdale in Lancashire, Newport in Wales, Castle Gresley in Derbyshire, Goole in Yorkshire and High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire this year.

And it is now set to open sites in Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire, and Olney Park in Milton Keynes, in the next month.

Towns such as Aberdare in Wales, Broughty Ferry in Dundee and Leytonstone in London are also set to open new stores.

In total, the UK's fourth-largest supermarket is on track to open 35 new stores this year, with each creating around 40 new jobs on average.

The openings form part of Aldi's long-term target of 1,500 stores in the UK.

Jonathan Neale, real estate managing director at Aldi UK, said the store wanted to "ensure that high quality yet affordable food is available to everyone" and that was why the chain would "expand across the UK".

Where will the new branches be opening?

• Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire
• Olney Park, Milton Keynes
• Aberdare, Wales
• Broughty Ferry, Dundee
• Leytonstone, London
• Beckton, London
• Middleton, Leeds
• Rugeley, Staffordshire
• Gosforth, Tyne and Wear
• Holloway Road, London
• Shepshed, Leicester 

Over half a million pensioners are still paying off their mortgages, research shows.

In its survey of 2,000 people over 50, the financial services firm SunLife found that retired mortgage holders still owed more than £30,000 on average.

Data found that of the 68% that were homeowners, 23% were still paying off their mortgage.

And while 87% of those with outstanding mortgages were still working, the research showed that 13% of those still paying off their mortgages were retired.

This means that of all retirees in the UK,  7% - the equivalent of just over 500,000 older people - may still be paying monthly mortgage payments.

On average, these retired mortgage holders still owe £33,627.

The data follows a recent Bank of England report which revealed nearly half of all mortgages issued in the last three months of 2023 were for 30 years or longer.

Last month, worried homeowners told the Money team they would have to work longer and later in life to pay their mortgages.

You can read more here ...

Crisis-hit Thames Water has warned its cash remains on track to run dry by the end of May next year due to a lack of new investment, forcing it to prepare a plan for its lenders.

The country's biggest water company, which serves almost a quarter of the population, previously said it had £2.4bn of liquidity as of the end of March.

The company said on Tuesday that the sum had fallen to £1.8bn by the end of June.

Cash-strapped Thames Water has been struggling to secure fresh funds from existing shareholders after they withdrew promised investment of £500m amid a funding row with the industry regulator.

Read more from our business news reporter James Sillars below... 

The UK's largest hotel brand has had to change its marketing after a complaint to the advertising regulator - removing claims which said buying early means getting the best price.

The complaint against Premier Inn was "informally resolved" by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), meaning the hotel chain agreed to amend the communication and details of the issue were not made public.

No formal ruling was published but the ASA told Sky News a complaint had challenged Premier Inn's claim that booking early gave the best deals on the basis the statement was misleading and could not be substantiated.

The ad in question said: "Book early to secure your choice of hotel and dates for the best price!"

Read more from our business news reporter Sarah Taafe-Maguire here... 

Card spending fell last month for the first time in more than three years, according to Barclays.

It's the first time there's been a drop in card spending values since February 2021, the bank's June data showed.

The figures cover nearly 40% of the nation's credit and debit card transactions and combine it with consumer research.

It's due to a combination of prices rising less than before, as inflation weakened, and wet weather dampening clothes, pub and garden centre sales early in the month.

Read more...

Dyson has revealed plans for 1,000 job losses in the UK.

The manufacturer of innovative vacuum cleaners and other products said the cuts, which amount to more than a quarter of its UK workforce, followed a review of its global workforce needs.

It is understood that the redundancies are not linked to the general election as the process had begun beforehand.

The company's founder Sir James Dyson had previously been  critical of the Conservative government 's approach to economic growth and science.

Follow this breaking story here ...

Is it an infringement of hygiene regulations, or just a drop in the ocean?

Well, those who are caught relieving themselves in the sea in Marbella could seemingly be fined a hefty €750 (£634).

In new plans to help clean up the Costa del Sol, fines could be levied on beach-goers who are found guilty of "physiological evacuation in the sea and on the beach".

The wording of the by-law has given rise to ridicule in Spain, with many questioning just how it would be policed.

A spokesperson for the city council has since moved to clarify the proposals, saying they referred to the fact people might urinate into the sea from the shore.

"The by-law does not impose a sanction for peeing in the sea," they said in an  email to The Guardian . 

"It will not be applicable. The by-law regulates possible antisocial infractions on the beach, just as any such acts are regulated in any public space such as on the city's streets."

The rules have been approved by Malaga's council but need to pass a public consultation before becoming law.

Taking in 25 different beaches in the Malaga municipality, the rules aim to bring a halt to a practice dubbed "an infringement of hygiene and sanitary regulations".

Under the rules, repeat offenders caught more than once in the space of a year could face a fine of up to €1,500 (£1,270).

Things have just started looking up, inflation is under control, an interest rate cut could come next month, but tea leaf production in India is about to throw a spanner in the works. 

The price of a cuppa could be about to rise after harvests in places across the country were drastically reduced by extreme weather events - including floods and heatwaves. 

As a result, it's predicted average tea prices this year could be 16% to 20% higher than in 2023.

In the last week of June, the typical price of Indian tea leaves rose to more than £2 per kg - a near 20% increase, according to the Tea Board. 

A government ban on 20 pesticides has also had an impact. 

More than half of India's total tea production is plucked during July to October.

"Extreme weather events are hurting tea production. Excessive heat in May, followed by ongoing flooding in Assam, are reducing output," said Prabhat Bezboruah, a senior tea planter and former chairman of India's Tea Board.

The country produced a record 1.394 billion kg of tea in 2023, but in 2024 production could fall by around 100 million kg, he warned.

India's tea production in May plunged more than 30% from a year earlier to 90.92 million kg - its lowest for that month in more than a decade. 

In June, production improved slightly thanks to good rainfall, but flooding in July limited plucking in many districts of Assam. 

The region accounts for more than half the country's tea output, and the UK is India's top export destination. 

And, we are a nation of tea drinkers - consuming around 100 million cups a day. 

The average price of a packet of 80 tea bags costs £2.64 - up from £2.38 last year, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Of course, the extent of the price increases depends on a variety of factors, including how much manufacturers and retailers will absorb and if tea supply contracts are due to expire. 

By James Sillars , business news reporter

The FTSE 100 is in positive territory on Tuesday morning despite a hefty drag from BP.

The index was trading 0.2% higher at 8,212, with miners among the sectors leading the way.

BP was down by more than 2% after it warned of a hit to second quarter profits due to weaker refining margins and oil trading.

Among wider fallers in London was Indivior.

Its shares plunged by more than a third. The drugmaker revealed at 7am that it had lowered its annual profit forecast, not aided by the fact it would discontinue the sale of its schizophrenia drug Perseris.

Global share performance today may well depend on remarks in Washington DC.

Investors are eagerly awaiting evidence to a Senate committee by chair of the Federal Reserve Jay Powell this afternoon.

Any hint that the central bank has moved closer to a US interest rate cut will be seen positively.

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Some Countries Are Trying a Four-Day Workweek. Greece Wants a Six-Day One.

The country, which already has the European Union’s longest average workweek, wants to add another day in some cases, bucking a growing business trend.

By Niki Kitsantonis and Amelia Nierenberg

Niki Kitsantonis reported from Athens, and Amelia Nierenberg from London.

As the rest of the world zigs toward a four-day workweek, Greece is opting to zag.

On Monday, a law came into effect that allows some companies to enforce a six-day workweek, a shift that is intended to prop up the country’s aging work force and compensate strapped workers, while respecting workers’ rights.

The law applies to private sector workers in certain industrial and manufacturing sectors, or to those who work in a business that operates continuous shifts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with some exceptions. And it would be allowed only “in exceptional circumstances,” like an unexpectedly increased workload.

Labor unions, which have long pushed for better working conditions and rights, have opposed the move. It has prompted a fierce debate and, when the bill was approved last year, protests. Greece already has the longest average workweek in the European Union, and it is not clear whether the extended workweek will bolster productivity.

The action in Greece stands in sharp contrast to much of the world. Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, in March pushed to reduce the standard workweek in the United States to 32 hours from 40 hours. Trials have been carried out in Britain , Iceland and New Zealand , at least in part as a response to the drastic shifts in work that were precipitated by the coronavirus pandemic .

Here’s what to know about Greece’s overtime measure.

Why do some think a six-day model could help?

Greece is dealing with a shortage of skilled labor, as are its peers in the European Union.

Conservative lawmakers in the country have billed the law as a way to provide more resources for employers, while providing additional income for workers.

The extra day, said Niki Kerameus, the labor and social insurance minister, will allow employers to address “urgent operational demands” that cannot be met given the current supply of workers, and will also put more money in the pockets of employees.

According to the law, workers get an extra 40 percent on their sixth day. This rises to 115 percent if that day falls on a Sunday or a public holiday. Some workers are already working more than 40 hours per week without getting paid for the extra time, and backers of the new measure say it affords them protections because employers would have to declare extra hours to the government.

The labor shortage has its roots partly in the financial crisis that began in 2009. Huge numbers of workers, most of them young Greeks, went abroad in search of better prospects, and some companies cut back on training and development, adding to the problem.

The boom that came after provided welcome financial relief, but it also left employers short handed as the economy rebounded. Greece has struggled to deal with a huge influx of migrants in recent years, but it is now offering some more established migrants residency and work permits, as well as signing deals with other countries to bring in more workers for certain sectors like agriculture.

How have critics responded?

The Greek government has sought to downplay the implications of the move, stressing that it was an “an exceptional measure” that “does not affect in any way the established five-day working week,” Ms. Kerameus said.

But many, especially on the left, are furious.

Syriza, the leftist opposition party, denounced what it called “a return to working conditions of the 19th century that puts the country to shame.”

Nikos Fotopoulos, the general secretary of Greece’s private sector labor union, excoriated the measure in an open letter to Ms. Kerameus, the labor minister, calling the government “the most barbaric, most anti-worker government ever.”

Nearly one in five Greek adults were at risk of poverty last year, according to the research institute of Greece’s private sector workers’ union, and Mr. Fotopoulos said the government’s argument that workers can forgo the extra day did not hold up.

“Which worker, with the unemployment and poverty we have, would dare to say no to unchecked employers who you’ve allowed to treat workers like their slaves?” Mr. Fotopoulos wrote.

What’s the case for a four-day workweek?

Supporters of a four-day workweek say it could have significant benefits for employers and employees.

The logic? Fewer hours at the office should mean that the time there should be more productive. Workers, according to the theory, will have more energy and incentive to power through the 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. need-a-snack lull, or other periods when fatigue sets in and their minds begin to drift.

“When people work less, they tend to work smarter,” said Dale Whelehan, the chief executive of 4 Day Week Global , a nonprofit group. “As a result, they cut out unproductive time within their work and are able to get more done in less time.”

The evidence is still emerging, but a British trial run — conducted by Dr. Whelehan’s group — seemed to have favorable results. In a survey about halfway through the study, which took place in 2022, most of the companies reported no loss of productivity during the trial.

How does the productivity argument play out in Greece?

Greece had the longest average workweek in the European Union last year. Working-age people spent an average of 39.8 hours at their jobs, compared with the bloc’s average of 36.1 hours.

So while Greece is looking to extend the workweek in certain cases, backers of the four-day workweek like to emphasize that less can sometimes be more when it comes to productivity.

And Greece’s productivity has long been lower than the European Union’s average . Data from Eurostat , the bloc’s statistics agency, shows that Greek productivity per working hour was 30 percent lower than the bloc’s average last year.

“It offers an incentive to workers who want to boost their salary — while also increasing fair play by employers,” said Emmanouil Savoidakis, a lawyer based in Athens, who said some of his clients in manufacturing have already expressed interest. “Anyone who wants to boost production has to do it subject to certain rules and pay the overtime.”

Niki Kitsantonis is a freelance correspondent for The Times based in Athens. She has been writing about Greece for 20 years, including more than a decade of coverage for The Times. More about Niki Kitsantonis

Amelia Nierenberg writes the Asia Pacific Morning Briefing , a global newsletter. More about Amelia Nierenberg