UK Cost of Living and Band 5 Salary

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 14, 2011

Many people survive on one wage and for several years I lived alone with a mortgage and other bills fine on Band 5 just didn't have much money left for luxuries but managed. Only you can decide if it is enough as you will know where you are living and what costs you will have

marssi · Apr 14, 2011

I don't know how will be cost of living in Kent area?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 15, 2011

I have friends that live in Kent and it can be expensive. The southern part of the UK is in general very expensive to live. We lived on the south coast for 12 months and between the North where we where from to the south found on average food prices the same however cost of housing, council tax etc was more expensive.

marssi · Apr 15, 2011

Thanke you vert much . It is quite different i sew betwen North and South in England.

I hope everything to be al right with our expirience in UK. But Tha Salry in both of them are the same? I was on one interview in London and Tha salary for Band 5 was again 21176 . Some Hospitals gave 25000 and another 21000 I really don't know why?

Many Thanks

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 15, 2011

Band salary is the same across the country however the hospital may take experience into account to decide what level you start at in the band

ZippyGBR, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2011

1. UK salaries are quoted as basic salaries i.e. excluding Unsocial hours payments.

2. if you are looking in the south east some places have London weighting or a long term recruitment and retention payment for the higher cost of accomodation in these areas.

3. as silverdragon points out if you have post registration experience the appointing manager can apply to have you placed on a higher increment to reflect this.

allnurses Guide · Apr 16, 2011

3. as silverdragon points out if you have post registration experience the appointing manager can apply to have you placed on a higher increment to reflect this.

They can do but in the current climate it's extremely unlikely to happen, I've only ever seen this happen once in 25 years

cymrudiamond · Apr 16, 2011

I would like to ask you is Band 5 -21146 Salary is it enough for UK cost of living? We are family with 3 years girl and only I will work at the begining in UK.
I need to plan my budget carefully and thinking about property where we will live, councul Tax, another bills and everyday needs.
Many thanks

Marssi, Silverdragon gives very good advice! If you don't mind my asking, what area of nursing are you going to be working at within the U.K.? Best wishes in landing your job :)

marssi · Apr 17, 2011

I will work in Kent, in Cardiogy wards in NHS Hospital.

Thanks for your support :-)

AZ hopeful · Jun 8, 2011

The cost of living varies widely in Kent, depends on if you are NW Kent, mid Kent or coastal. Many nurses from further down into Kent travel closer to London to work for the extra salary

allnurses Guide · Jun 8, 2011

As already mentioned Kent is quite a big area.

Average rental prices range from £600 per month for a 1 bedroomed flat to over £1000 for a house rental with 3 bedrooms.

Council Tax will depend again on area and property size but range between £900 to £3000 per year

You will have to budget for heating, water and electricity and this again will depend on the size of the property and state of it's insulation. Water rates can vary between £180 - £250 per month depending on where you live

The difference in the salary may well be because of London Weighting depending on where the job offer is, if your outside of the London area then your salary will be less.

A band 5 throughout the majority of the country starts at £21,176 however in the London areas this will be £24,590 taking into account the London Weighting, this extra payment is because it is so expensive to live and travel in London unless there is extra financial incentive most people just wouldn't be able to afford to survive.