This economy profile presents the Doing Business indicators for the United Kingdom. To allow useful comparison, it also provides data for other selected economies (comparator economies) for each indicator. The data in this report are current as of June
1, 2014 (except for the paying taxes indicators, which cover the period January–December 2013).

This site summarizes Doing Business 2015 data for the United Kingdom. The first section presents the Ease of Doing Business rank (out of 189 economies). The second section summarizes the key indicators for each topic benchmarked against regional averages.

The UK Country Commercial Guide (CCG) is a comprehensive annual review of the United Kingdom’s commercial, economic, political and investment environment. It includes information to assist those doing business in the UK.

There are several options if you want to become self-employed, with the type of business that you start affecting your legal responsibilities in the United Kingdom

Choose a legal structure for your business

Below is a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in United Kingdom. It examines the procedures, time and cost involved in launching a commercial or industrial firm with up to 50 employees and start-up capital of 10 times the economy’s per-capita gross national income.

Set up a business in the UK

An overseas business looking to establish itself in the UK will need a local adviser “on the ground” to make sure that it fulfils all of its statutory obligations as well as to identify planning opportunities, maximise commercial impact and minimise risk.

Your tax-free Personal Allowance – The standard Personal Allowance is £10,000, which is an amount of income you don’t have to pay tax on.Your Personal Allowance may be bigger if you were born before 6 April 1948 or if you get Blind Person’s Allowance. It’s smaller if your income is over £100,000.

Step by step process of how to pay for corporate taxes in the United Kingdom.

The Corporate Tax Rate in the United Kingdom stands at 20 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in the United Kingdom averaged 32.66 percent from 1981 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 52 percent in 1982 and a record low of 20 percent in 2015. Corporate Tax Rate in the United Kingdom is reported by the HM Revenue & Customs.

Current tax rates and allowances in the United Kingdom

The Personal Income Tax Rate in the United Kingdom stands at 45 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in the United Kingdom averaged 42 percent from 1995 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 50 percent in 2010 and a record low of 40 percent in 1996. Personal Income Tax Rate in the United Kingdom is reported by the HM Revenue & Customs.

The standard VAT tax rate is 20%. A lower rate is applied to some goods and services and some are exempt like food and children’s clothing

The Sales Tax Rate in the United Kingdom stands at 20 percent. Sales Tax Rate in the United Kingdom averaged 16.44 percent from 1977 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 20 percent in 2011 and a record low of 8 percent in 1978. Sales Tax Rate in the United Kingdom is reported by the HM Revenue & Customs.

Standard Visitor visa

Everything you need to know to get a work visa

To work in the UK you will need a current UK work visa. There are a variety of UK working visas, work permits and passports that will enable you to legally work in the UK and each has its own eligibility requirements and restrictions.

Do you need a UK visa? Information regarding work, study and visitor visas and how to apply

tourist and short staying visas

One of the most significant infrastructure projects in the history of the kingdom was the completion in 1994 of the Channel Tunnel, popularly known as the “Chunnel.” This 35-kilometer (22-mile) tunnel under the English Channel connects England and France. For the first time in its history, the United Kingdom had a direct, if limited, land route for the transport of goods and people to and from the continent. Since its opening, the amount of goods that are transported through the Chunnel has grown by almost 20 percent per year.

Different ways of transportation to get around the United Kingdom

Transport in the United Kingdom is facilitated with road, air, rail, and water networks. 

The UK’s telecom market, one of the largest in Europe, is characterised by fierce competition in the mobile and broadband sectors, and by an innovative broadcast sector which has pioneered business models for distributing digital content. – See more at: http://www.budde.com.au/Research/United-Kingdom-Key-Statistics-Telecom-Market-and-Regulatory-Overviews.html#sthash.MkNQgtbi.dpuf

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

This site provides a brief overview of some of the basic employment and labor laws in the UK and will also introduce some of the most critical 2013 labor reforms.

Required insurance for workers compensation in the United Kingdom

Includes information on employee contracts, payroll, pensions, recruitment, dismissals, union and workers rights

The labor law in United Kingdom is very flexible; there is small limitation by the law for employers.

Demographic facts and data on the UK

Business culture in the UK is characterised by business communication, business etiquette, business meeting etiquette, internship and student placements, cost of living, work-life-balance and social media guide.

Tips on business etiquette, protocol, manners and customs

The United Kingdom straddles the geographic mid-latitudes between 49–61 N. It is on the western seaboard of Afro-Eurasia, the world’s largest land mass. These conditions allow convergence between moist maritime air and dry continental air. In this area, the large temperature variation creates atmospheric instability and this is a major factor that influences the often unsettled weather the country experiences, where many types of weather can be experienced in a single day.

Englands climate can be described as temperate maritime climate, because the Gulf Stream ensures mild, maritime influenced weather. England is famous for its rain and the lush green of its countryside. 

History, Politics, Geography, Languages and getting around the country

This site includes indices on living costs including rent, utilities transportation, clothing and food

As with most popular expat destinations, the cost of living in the United Kingdom varies depending on lifestyle choices and location. 

Public holidays in the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as bank holidays, are days where most businesses and essential services are closed although an increasing number of retail businesses (especially the larger ones) do open on some of the public holidays, in relation to trading laws.

A 2014 demographic profile of the UK

Much to the relief of the nation’s residents, crime in the UK is usually low key

The education system in the UK is divided into four main parts, primary education, secondary education, further education and higher education. Children in the UK have to legally attend primary and secondary education which runs from about 5 years old until the student is 16 years old.

In the United Kingdom, schools are either provided by the local government authority (state schools) and are free for all pupils, or they are independent schools and charge fees to the parents of the pupils.

A listing of public and religious holidays in the UK

Security and travel information from the US Embassy in London

Demographic facts and data on the UK

These statistics record the movement – for trade purposes – of goods between the UK and both EU and non-EU countries.

Regulations, charges or other restrictions may apply to any exports as they leave the UK and when they arrive at their destination country. It is important that you research both sides of the transaction.

United Kingdom Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exportinggoods at British border

Import and export goods to specific countries at reduced rates of duty to boost cashflow and competitiveness

This site provides information on the United Kingdom’s participation in the WTO. The United Kingdom has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and  a member of GATT since 1 January 1948. It is a member State of the European Union (more info). All EU member States are WTO members, as is the EU (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European Communities for legal reasons) in its own right.

Find great United Kingdom rental deals on apartments for rent, houses for rent and townhouses for rent. United Kingdom Find a cheap apartment or house to sublease from the leaseholder or rent an apartment or house from the property owner directly. At Sublet.com United Kingdom tenants and landlords contact each other to rent or sublease apartments, houses, and rooms.

Britain has everything from cottages, hotels and campsites to budget hostels, serviced apartments, spas and even castles.

Most visits to the UK are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Reviews and advice on hotels, resorts, flights, vacation rentals and travel packages