Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with UK

UK ergonomic keyboard

nam3d — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:54:35 -0800

Whilst looking to purchase an ergonomic keyboards like the Kinesis or Goldtouch keyboards they all seem to be in the US layout which is a bit of a problem as I'm used to the UK layout. Could anyone recommend me an ergonomic keyboard with a UK Qwerty layout?

Who would a Gibraltar company pay PAYE tax to for a UK employee?

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:00:55 -0800

If a company registered in Gibraltar is employing people in the UK, to whom is PAYE income tax paid to? Longish story follows... About 6 months ago, I was employed in the UK a company that for all intents and purposes does business in the UK; but is registered in Gibralter for, I think, tax dodging purposes.

(They don't pay VAT, claim all work is outsourced to Gibralter, etc.)

I've also never received a pay slip from them, though PAYE tax was obviously withheld from my normal salary at a normal rate.

Bracketing the dodgy stuff for now, who would a Gibraltar company pay PAYE tax to if they employ people in the UK?

Should they have been withholding PAYE at all?

I suspect that they were just pocketing the difference, since they certainly seem to have no problem committing VAT fraud worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

I ask because I'm now involved in some potentially messy issues with the company, and I'd like all the ammunition I can get.

Throw away email, if you need it: dodgeytaxuk@gmail.com

UK teacher ad: print or online?

crocomancer — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:53:33 -0800

You are a UK primary school teacher looking for a Head Teacher position. How are you searching for it? Specifically, I'm interested in any views on whether our school should invest more in a bigger print advert in the TES, or upgrade their online package beyond the basic level. Both options are costly, and doing one will affect our budget for the other. The school has a reasonable website of its own (thanks to previous MeFi advice) if it makes a difference.

Has the job-hunting culture gone online, or do people still rely primarily on print advertising before looking more deeply at particular posts? If they're using print, what makes an ad stand out from the pack? (anecdata welcome)

Christmas Radio Times in US?

jules1651 — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:53:18 -0800

Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the new Christmas edition of the UK magazine Radio Times, either in person in NY or DC, or via the internet? Much appreciated.

Effectively its a gag order.

Mutant — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:16:18 -0800

UK specific: am I bound by confidentiality and privacy clauses I didn't agree to? In the latest installment of my ongoing battles with a crappy landlord, I've recently received correspondence marked "Private & Confidential".

I suspect this is being undertaken as I've initiated legal proceedings against my landlord for libel, as well as have actively (and effectively!) engaged local area Councillors, MPs and the media in matters pertaining to quality of services delivered.

So am I bound by my landlords unilateral pronouncement that correspondence they've freely sent to me responding to formal complaints is indeed "Private & Confidential"? On the surface and from my banker / layman's perspective this seems fallacious; I wasn't consulted about this constraint, nor have I been offered or received any compensation for accepting this constraint. It was unilaterally imposed, and if I were to acquiesce to such a constraint I couldn't escalate this matter to The Housing Ombudsman or perhaps even initiate litigation should my complaint not be resolved.

I'd like to receive responses from folks familiar with UK law and UK conventions regarding business correspondence please. First hand experience would be brilliant.

I realise that while you might be a Solicitor you aren't my Solicitor and that's ok as I'm really trying to avoid ringing my Solicitor will not only talks very, very slowly, will charge me in six minute increments for the privilege of exchanging socially required pleasantries before we get down to talking business.

Round and round we go

gadha — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:41:17 -0800

Some questions about traffic light controlled roundabouts in the UK. More inside. I have some queries regarding traffic lights with roundabouts

In order to visualise my questions, I'm using a specific example - the Great Cambridge Roundabout. I have created an annotated google map to help with my questions, its available here:

In my scenario, I am approaching the roundabout from the south (Placemarker Roundabout_Entry on the map) and taking the third exit (Placemarker Roundabout_Exit on the map).

Assuming I've never been on the roundabout ever, my initial instinct will be to take the innermost lane and then change lanes when I'm just before my exit.

My questions are as follows:

1. The two innermost lanes go right around, so would it be correct for me to go around the roundabout completely in any two of the innermost lanes?

2. At peak traffic times it is likely that the roundabout will be full, i.e. that at the traffic lights (e.g. at Placemarker FirstExit_TrafficLights or SecondExit_TrafficLights in the map) I will pull up in any of the four lanes and there will be traffic on both sides to me.

In this situation if I'm moving from an inner to an outer lane (e.g. from the innermost to the second innermost lane) do I have the right of way? (If so is this a general rule)? If not, how do cars in the innermost lanes stop from getting trapped in times of peak traffic (i.e. no gaps to move into outer lanes).

3. Imagine I reach the traffic lights at the second exit traffic lights (Placemarker SecondExit_TrafficLights in the map)and I'm in one of the two inner lanes for whatever reason. Am I still allowed to indicate left and move/merge into the two outermost lanes to exit the roundabout (assuming I have the time to do so) or do I HAVE to go round because my positioning was not in one of the two lanes to exit the roundabout?

4. In a traffic controlled roundabout, if I'm positioned to leave the roundabout and I find I've made a mistake, am I allowed to merge into right lanes? E.g. in this example, if I find myself at the traffic lights at the second exit (placemarker SecondExit_TrafficLights in the map) and I'm in one of the two outermost lanes but I realise I wanted to take the fourth exit, do I HAVE to leave or can I indicate right and merge back into the inner lane?

5. In this particular example, I'm entering the roundabout from the south (placemarker RoundAbout_Entry in the map), the road markings for the four lanes are A406 West, A10 HFord, A10 Hford and A406 East respectively. I assume this is marking exits 1-4 respectively. Is this correct?

Thanks for your help.

How do I 'get a lawyer'?

jaffacakerhubarb — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:03:41 -0800

I'm not in any trouble, but how do I 'get a lawyer'? This is probably a silly question, but I thought I'd ask it anyway. I was watching a TV show a little while ago, and one of the characters was in trouble with the police for something minor (I forget what it was now, but it's not really relevant anyhow). The female character in question refused to discuss whatever it was and said "I want my lawyer". They replied "Okay, what's his name?" and she meekly replied "…I don't have one…".

Before I begin, I'm in the UK, so specific advice tailored to the U.S., while interesting, is ultimately useless to me. :)

Now, while this was funny and all, it made me wonder what I'd do in the same situation — and I realised I'd be in exactly the same boat. I'd go into 'exercising my civil liberties' mode, then have to sort something out afterwards. I'm not in any trouble with the authorities nor, hopefully, am I likely to be, but in the event that I am how does this work? Do I get a personal lawyer in advance, and if so, do you have to pay a 'retainer' or just pay as and when you need to employ said lawyer's services?

Most of my knowledge of the law is based on episodes of Damages, gangster movies and the courtroom scenes of Aaron Sorkin films, so I apologise for any gratuitous misuse of legal jargon or just general stupidity. Also, I know YANML, but obviously neither is anyone else so we're all good.

Ideas for a different job

daveyt — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:50:41 -0800

How can I direct my IT skills to somewhere other than yet another boring IT job? I've been unemployed for 3 months or so, not yet serious but enough to start getting disillusioned with my 'career'.

I've worked in IT for 15 years, never been out of work and I know I am not alone... however, the doubt that IT is what I want to do any more is now creeping in.

I have worked mainly from tech support up to infrastructure management and managed small teams. I'm a good techie, I'm a good team leader, I have a good CV that reflects this and I've found about 100+ positions to apply for, had a few interviews, come close, not quite got there. The feedback each time has been positive and I've not got positions as they've gone to internal candidates each time. I even interviewed at my 'dream IT job' (at Barclays) and came so close.

I am motivated (most of the time) and I relish the unexpected time at home with my 6 month old, I'm spending 50% of my time job hunting and some other ways to make money (ebay, PC support, some event planning but nothing that can get me a full time income) and 50% childcare.

However, I cant help thinking that maybe IT isnt for me anymore. Most of the jobs that come up for medium sized institutions with small-medium infrastructures that just bore me, I can do that blindfold, and usually in companies that dont give a monkeys about IT and see it as a burden and therefore treat it somewhere around the level they treat the cleaners.

I'm trying to come up with some other type of work where my skills - not just technical - would be valuable, and struggling to do so. I dont really want to start again salary wise either. I guess thats an impossible equation. (Oh and teaching I'm trying to avoid - my parents are teachers and its disrespectful for people to suggest this as if its some sort of last resort job that anyone can get).

Failing that, any good resources where us doleys can get together and whinge a bit? (I'm in the UK if you didnt get that from the slang!)

(oh and since I've been off work, all I now see is adverts for courses for getting people in to IT. I'll do you a swap!)

Remotely buying a computer in the UK from Canada

krunk — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:40:49 -0800

My parents (in Canada) are trying to buy a PC for their family in the UK, but they're having trouble finding a store that will take their money. Apparently they won't accept foreign credit cards, or even money orders. He's tried Dell, PC World, Curry's, and a few others. Any ideas?

Help me get my Sky TV working again.

Nufkin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:16:27 -0800

My Sky+ box only receives some channels, others now display a error 25 'No satellite signal is being received'. Sky want to send an engineer at a cost of £65. Is there anything I can do to fix this? Some channels (like Sky 1) show perfectly; others, such as channel 4 are intermittent; some I can't get at all (all flavours of BBC).

What can I do to try and fix this?

How much do I need in savings for my UK Ancestry visa?

BAKERSFIELD! — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:39:30 -0800

I'm applying for an Ancestry Visa to enter the United Kingdom. How much money do I need to have in my savings account to demonstrate I can support myself? I have a job offer, my contract starts in January. I also have a cousin I can stay with when I arrive. Has any other Mefite applied for Ancestry and know approx how much I need to scrape together to improve my application?

Any other advice on this process is much appreciated.

In the round.

fearfulsymmetry — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:58:10 -0800

What's the story behind this strange circular building in the middle of nowhere in Scotland This was passed on from a friend who was intrigued and it got me scratching my head too. I've got an idea that I've seen something similar on television that was basically a work of art, but I'm not sure in this case. Google fails me. Anyone know?

Help Jenni Be Awesome

By The Grace of God — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:52:27 -0800

Good source for wigs for transvestites in the UK? What to look for and think about when getting a wig? So a friend of mine is exploring his long time interest in cross dressing, awesome! He's looking for a wig, or maybe several wigs. He wants to look nice - not cheesy or tacky, but to express a gentle feminine side.

Where's a good place to get a wig? How much to pay? He's willing to pay for quality. Anything else he should consider?

Help, my partner has been evicted!

Flitcraft — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:37:55 -0800

Eviction UK - what does a 're-entry' hearing involve? Please help! My partner was thrown out his home (he is the owner) yesterday morning by bailiffs and didn't tell me till now (middle of night UK Time). He tells me he has something called a 're-entry hearing' this morning 11am at a court. He was unaware of having missed any mortgage payments as it is paid by direct debit. (money is not a problem he is in a well paid job and so am I but something has gone wrong somewhere). Due to ADD, he hadn't opened his post for a long period and hasn't done anything like get a lawyer or contact his bank, or seek advice, beyond doing what the bailiffs told him - to file for what he described to me as a 're-entry hearing'. I am worried sick - what does the re-entry hearing involve? What can we do? Is there anything he should do before it, or read before it? You are not my lawyer, but can you advise? Also if he does need a lawyer- how does he go about getting one urgently in London? Anything you can tell me which I could use to help him would be valued. Thanks!

What should I know for a UK College Lab Assistant job interview?

D J Robertstein — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:10:26 -0800

What should I know and what could help me in a job interview for a UK College Lab Technician? I graduated in Biological Science last year and this is my first job interview I've had for a science-based job since. Since it's been a year I may be a bit rusty with my lab lingo and know how, so are there any lab technicians or people who hire them, or even an education professional who could give me other subjects I should bone up on? For example, COSHH guidelines for lab technicians, suppliers, etc.

Secondly, what kind of questions do you think I'll be asked? And what qualities will they be looking for? This is the most important aspect for me at the moment.

What do I need to do in Oxford, UK?

justalisteningman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:01:36 -0800

What do I need to do in Oxford, UK? I'm a 19 year old student from the Pacific Northwest who is flying to the upcoming Oxford debate tournament this weekend. I've never been to England, and I want to make sure I see everything I should. Oxford seems like a place that has a lot of hidden secrets that the hive mind could inform me of.

We'll be arriving Thursday morning, and adjusting to jet lag that day. So I'll have Thursday during the day, Friday and Saturday after rounds/dinners end, and all of Sunday. We leave Monday morning.

Also, any extra UK/Oxford specific information that might be valuable (like don't order Irish Car bombs in Irish Pubs) would be appreciated.

Please don't explode computer.

sepsis — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:38:49 -0800

US visiting UK, do I need an adapter or a converter for my laptop? I just want to double check because I'd really rather not have my laptop explode when I visit the UK next month. The AC adapter for my laptop gives the following specs:

65W, 20V
INPUT: 100-240V~1.5A 50/60Hz
OUTPUT: 20V . . . 3.25A

My understanding is that I would only need an adapter for the plug and not a power converter. Am I correct? Thanks for the help.

How to move my unqualified behind to Europe?

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:05:22 -0800

Ex-pat filter: How do I get a job in Western Europe without a Master's degree? Is it even possible, or should I suck it up and go to grad school? Due to the way my life has worked out, I'm an American citizen but haven't lived in the US in nearly a decade, and I have no desire to live there again. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the US, but when I visit, it never feels like I belong there. Right now I'm working in Asia teaching English as a foreign language, but nothing about this job feels permanent to me. I'd like to start thinking of something more long-term. Ideally, I'd like to work in the public sector, especially in non-profit. I studied abroad in Britain during university and I've been on extended holidays to Europe several times in the past, and I'd really love to move somewhere in Western Europe, specifically the UK or Ireland. But -- and here's the thing -- I don't think I have any real qualifications. Here's what I do have:

1. I have an Honour's (4 years + dissertation) B.A. from a well-known Canadian university in History.
2. I've worked in education for the past four years, two years at university level in Canada, two years in a private school in Korea, teaching both English grammar/writing and EFL. I have no problem teaching anything related to social sciences or the humanities. However, I don't have any official teaching certification.
3. I'm a native English speaker, I speak decent French, and I speak elementary Korean.
4. I've lived in four countries including the US, and I've been to 20 countries around the world.
5. I'm in my twenties, I'm a fast learner, I'm good with languages, I'm highly sociable and love working with people, and I'm very open-minded.

In all honesty, I don't even know where to begin looking for jobs. Do I have any hopes of landing a job in Europe with this, or should I go to grad school? I've been looking at several grad programs in Sweden and Norway that may lead to non-profit work. I'd love to move to Europe but I have no idea if I want to go back to school, especially since the only subject I really ever loved was History -- a field that doesn't lead to a wide range of career opportunities if I get an MA in it.

I'm posting anon because I'm embarrassed at how naive all of this sounds. Any and all advice would be much appreciated, even if it's just you telling me I need to get my lazy bum to grad school.

Name that 'tchune?

citywolf — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:33:43 -0800

What was this non-techno song I heard in Cambridge, UK dance clubs in 2005? I spent the first six months of 2005 in Cambridge, UK. While I was there I did my share of clubbing (Fez Club, Life, in particular). I've managed to scrap together a playlist of most of the songs that make me nostalgic for my time there, but one song has escaped me. Google has failed me due to my spotty memory and some rather generic lyrics.

Song details:
- Played frequently in dance clubs in Cambridge, UK between January and June 2005
- Fun, upbeat song, frequently sung along to by all in the club
- NOT a techno song (didn't sound like a "dance remix")
- At this point I can't remember exact lyrics except what I believe was "put your hands up," repeated (real helpful, I know)
- Summer / summertime / sunshine may have been involved in the chorus or lyrics of the song.

I know it's a long shot but I've seen miracles worked on MeFi before.

Portable VOIP number?

devnull — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:15:23 -0800

Portable UK voip number? I'm looking for a UK telephone number to use with a voip provider. The killer is that I'd like to take the number with me if I later want to change providers. How can I set this up so that it's possible. I'd like to minimise cost.

I'd also like recommendations for a voip provider that will allow me to forward calls to another voip number at little or no cost, or to a "real" number. I'll be mostly using this number for answerphone messages but would like to avoid e-mails full of wav files. Perhaps a web based preview would be best.

I'd like to avoid Skype if possible.

Any recommendations?

iPhones in the UK

Megami — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:46:25 -0800

Yet another series of questions about iPhones in the UK: A lot of information has just come out about the potential limitations with the new Orange plans, but I have some questions before I finally give in and perhaps get a miraculous iPhone - When I originally spoke to Apple when the 3GS I was told that I would not be able to access Skype with O2 if I was within their 3G network area. Is this true? If true, would I still be able to use it in wi-fi areas in the UK and overseas?
- I don't really understand the concept of unlocking (sorry for ignorance). I was told that if I bought new 3GS upfront I would still have to use it with O2 for as long as I had it, even if someone else came out with a better deal. Is it possible to have it unlocked if one day I want to use a different provider?
- Have you travelled to other countries with your iPhone? If so, did you find enough wi-fi (and where were you) or did you have to use some kind of global roaming.
Again, sorry for the ignorance, I am relying on the greater knowledge of the mighty Meta to reveal all for me.

Help me find a wooden engagement ring in the UK

Nufkin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:41:24 -0800

Recommend me a preferably UK-based wooden engagement ring seller. From this question a while back, I have fallen in love with the wooden rings from this seller however, I am worried about ordering them from a seller in another country – different ring size systems – and without knowing anyone who has had any experience of them.

So, firstly I was wondering if anyone knows of anyone UK based that is selling similar work – my Google-fu is only strong enough to bring up very bad sites.

Or, secondly, if someone could recommend someone on personal experience.

Additional information if needed:

I would need two, not necessarily matching, rings for a same-sex (male) engagement. We are both UK size R. The ultimate idea is to have these as engagement rings then ‘upgrade’ to a metal ring for the civil partnership as a metaphor for our relationship becoming stronger.

Is there a UK teasmade that will work in the U.S.?

1001 questions — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:56:23 -0800

Is there a UK teasmade that will work in the U.S.? I've suddenly been intrigued by teasmades and I was semi-interested in getting one as a gift for a person in the U.S. I have read various webpages about using UK appliances in the U.S. (including this AskMefi thread) and it sounds like I'd be out of luck in (easily) getting this item to work within the U.S.

The specific one I was looking at is the new Swan STM100 Teasmade model. The only specs I can find indicate a wattage of 780-850W. It's made in China so perhaps they also make a U.S. version, but I doubt it.

Vegetarian seeks tasty food in Western Europe

embrangled — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:57:04 -0800

What tasty foods should an adventurous vegetarian eat in the UK and Western Europe? I eat eggs and dairy, but not meat and only rarely fish. I'm not overly uptight about trace animal products or stock. I'll be travelling through England, The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany. These countries aren't generally known as hotbeds of vegetarianism, but I'd still like to try as many interesting local foods as I can.

A meat-eating friend has been joking that I'll starve - I'm more optimistic, so help me prove him wrong. I'm not worried about what I'll eat, but I'd like to expand my culinary horizons beyond "That one vegan cafe in the hippy district". Which quintessential European meals and snacks just happen to be meat-free?

Refunds from UK merchant

NorthCoastCafe — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:14:58 -0800

I mailed $20 cash to a British merchant to pay for an item ordered via email. The merchant refused to accept cash insisting payment only via Paypal. I refuse to use Paypal because of two previous bad experiences. The British merchant said they would return my cash but hasn't and no longer replies to my emails. What recourse do I have to get my money back and or file a complaint against the merchant? I'm in the USA.