GOVERNMENT


The UK government has invested quite a lot into making the services it offers as digital as possible.  For most things, https://www.gov.uk/ should be your first port of call.

National Insurance is the social security mechanism in the UK.  In a nutshell, as a worker, you will contribute to the NI pot through PAYE deductions and be entitled to certain state benefits, like Jobseekers Allowance and a State Pension.  It is like an extra tax over-and-above Income Tax.  The total NI contribution to HMRC is made up of a percentage deducted from your salary, plus a percentage contributed by your employer.

Before you can be officially employed by a UK employer you will need a National Insurance number.  Apply for a National Insurance Number here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number

There are several paths to becoming a British Citizen.

You were born in the UK.

You moved to the UK and became naturalised with indefinite leave to remain.

You have a British parent.

https://www.gov.uk/british-citizenship

https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/settle-in-the-uk

Because all the information is now online, transparent, and easily accessible, it may not be necessary to engage the services of an emigration lawyer, like we might have done a decade or two ago.  Of course, your personal circumstances may be complex. 

The Right of Abode flow chart may be another route into the UK.  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/right-of-abode-nationality-policy-guidance

The Electoral Roll lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote.  You will likely get a letter in the post during the Summer which lists everyone at your address that is on the Electoral Register.  You are obliged to update it with your details.  It is a good thing to do because the Credit Check companies (like Equifax and Experian) use the electoral roll to enhance your credit score.

https://www.gov.uk/electoral-register

If you have just moved into a new property, check out the Register to Vote section of the government website: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Worth noting that there are two versions of the Electoral Register – the full version and the “open register”.  The latter is available to anyone that wants to buy a copy.  Marketers, spammers, etc can get lots of names and addresses from this list to send you junk mail.  You can opt-out of the open register so your name will only be in the full register, if you want.

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