General Information

Population:: 62 million
Area:: 94,530 square miles
Language:: English
Electricity:: 240V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:: 44
Driving:: Driving is on the left. National licence required. Minimum driving age is 17
Currency:: Pound Sterling (GBP 1 = 100 Pence)

Business Hours

Bank:: 0930-1530 Mon-Fri (some open Sat morning)
Office:: 0900-1700 Mon-Fri
Shops:: 0900-1730 Mon-Sat
Public Holidays:: <b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day 02 Jan : (for 2nd January - Scotland) 17 Mar : St Patrick's Day (Ireland & N Ireland) 06 Apr : Good Friday 09 Apr : Easter Monday (Except Scotland) 07 May : Early May Bank Holiday 04 Jun : Spring Bank Holiday 05 Jun : Queen's Diamond Jubilee 13 Jul : Battle of the Boyne (N Ireland) 06 Aug : Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland & Ireland) 27 Aug : Summer Bank Holiday (Except Scotland) 29 Oct : Bank Holiday (Ireland) 30 Nov : St Andrew's Day 25 Dec : Christmas Day 26 Dec : Boxing Day 26 Dec : St Stephen's Day (Ireland) If the date falls on the weekend, the public holiday will be observed on the next working day.

Business and social hints

General:: Business is conducted in English, not many executives speak a second language. Smoking is banned in all pubs, restaurants, clubs and workplaces. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants and clubs, punctuality expected. Dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated.
Tipping:: If a service charge has been added to bill, tips are not necessary, additional discretionary tips in restaurants & for taxis around 10%
Clothing:: Generally mediumweights throughout the year although lightweights possible for summer with warmer clothes for winter. Rainwear at all times
Emergency Services:: Police, Fire & Ambulance: 999
Hotel Classification:: There is no official hotel classification system in the United Kingdom. Two separate voluntary systems are used in England and Scotland. The English Tourism Council (ETC) awards star ratings (based on quality and facilities) from 1 star up to 5 stars for full-service hotels and 1 to 5 diamonds (based on quality) for B&Bs and guesthouses. The Scottish Tourist Board (STB) awards stars (based on quality) to all types of accommodation. The English scheme is harmonised with the stars and diamonds awarded by the AA and RAC. The Scottish scheme is not, so a property in Scotland may have different STB and AA/RAC star ratings. Hotels not subscribing to any voluntary system have been arbitrarily allocated our usual ï¿½ to ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ categories based on rack rates, facilities and perceived quality. These equate to the 1- to 5-star system and serve only to compare relative standards within any given area.

Temperate climate generally cool to mild with frequent cloud and rain throughout the year, but also spells of settled, fine weather. Summers can be quite warm. The south tends to be warmer and drier than the north, and the west wetter than the east. Most rain (snow in winter) is in the higher regions of Scotland, Wales and Northern England Temperate climate generally cool to mild with frequent cloud and rain throughout the year, but also spells of settled, fine weather. Summers can be quite warm. The south tends to be warmer and drier than the north, and the west wetter than the east. Most rain (snow in winter) is in the higher regions of Scotland, Wales and Northern England Temperate climate generally cool to mild with frequent cloud and rain throughout the year, but also spells of settled, fine weather. Summers can be quite warm. The south tends to be warmer and drier than the north, and the west wetter than the east. Most rain (snow in winter) is in the higher regions of Scotland, Wales and Northern England Temperate climate generally cool to mild with frequent cloud and rain throughout the year, but also spells of settled, fine weather. Summers can be quite warm. The south tends to be warmer and drier than the north, and the west wetter than the east. Most rain (snow in winter) is in the higher regions of Scotland, Wales and Northern England Temperate climate generally cool to mild with frequent cloud and rain throughout the year, but also spells of settled, fine weather. Summers can be quite warm. The south tends to be warmer and drier than the north, and the west wetter than the east. Most rain (snow in winter) is in the higher regions of Scotland, Wales and Northern England Temperate climate generally cool to mild with frequent cloud and rain throughout the year, but also spells of settled, fine weather. Summers can be quite warm. The south tends to be warmer and drier than the north, and the west wetter than the east. Most rain (snow in winter) is in the higher regions of Scotland, Wales and Northern England

Import Allowances:: Tobacco & alcoholic drinks for persons of 17 years of age or older: 1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar): a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco b) 2 lit of still table wine plus 1 lit of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% vol or 2 lit of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs c) Other goods including gifts & souvenirs up to GBP 390 in value AND i) 16 lit of beer ii) 4 lit still wine 2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels): a) 3200 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars & 3 kg of tobacco b) 10 lit of spirits, 20 lit of fortified wine, 90 lit of wine (of which, a max of 60 lit of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer
Contraband:: Unlicensed drugs, offensive weapons, indecent & obscene material, counterfeit & pirated goods, meat, milk & other animal products, firearms, explosives & ammunition, certain plants & plant products, radio transmitters

Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries, to use the public health care sector for free, or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care. For full details on eligibility and how to apply for a card visit www.nhs.uk or click<a href="https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do"> here</a> Please note: The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, repatriation to the UK, lost or stolen property etc.

Compulsary Vaccinations: None.
Recommended Immunisations: None, however check travellers have up to date tetanus & polio immunisations.
Risks: None. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to the United Kingdom. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments required may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.

Passports and passport replacing documents must be valid for the period of intended stay. Exempt: a) Expired British passport (no time limit) endorsed "British Citizen" is accepted. b) Expired British passport (no time limit) endorsed "British Subject" is accepted, provided being "Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies", containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode. c) British passport endorsed: "British Dependent Territories Citizen", "British National (Overseas)", "British Overseas Citizen", "British Overseas Territories Citizen" or "British Protected Person" must be valid on arrival. d) Passport and/or passport replacing documents issued to nationals of EU Member States must be valid on arrival. e) National Identity Cards issued by Gibraltar must be valid on arrival. f) Those residing in the UK may enter with travel documents valid on arrival.

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Citizen", "British National (Overseas)", "British Overseas Citizen", "British Overseas Territories Citizen" or "British Protected Person" 2) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Subject" stating "Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies". 3) Holders of ID Cards issued by the Gibraltar authorities. 4) Nationals of EU Member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway & Switzerland. 3) For stays up to 6* months by nationals of: a) Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR China passports), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (South), Macao (SAR China passports), Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau Islands, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Taiwan, Timor Leste, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, USA, Uruguay & Vanuatu. *Visitors who are visa exempt in section 3a - The actual period of stay will be determined by the immigration officer on arrival into the UK. b) Nationals of Venezuela holding a biometric passport containing an electronic chip.

Nationals not requiring visas are advised to be in possession of either a return ticket or, if arriving on a one-way ticket, proof of sufficient funds to accommodate and support themselves for the duration of stay. Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the British Embassy

Embassy

Immigration & Enquiry Bureau Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road Croydon, CR9 2BY tel: +44 870 606 77 e-mail: UKBApublicenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk website: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk www.ukvisas.gov.uk