Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 12237276)

I suspect that you're wrong on both counts. NINO's weren't issued at birth but only when you applied for one after the age of 16 (back in the pre-1970's).

NHS numbers on the other hand, were issued the first time one accessed NHS services (probably at birth). These days, you only need your full name, date and place of birth (a city or a town) for any GP practice in the UK to find the number in a few seconds.

Originally Posted by old.sparkles (Post 12237570)

NINO's are issued before the age of 16. I knew young sparks NI since he was around a year old back in 1996, so possibly from birth as was posted.

Originally Posted by BritInParis (Post 12241705)

A NINO is ordinarily issued at 15 years and 9 months, shortly before you legally become required to pay NI contributions at 16. old.sparkles, you may be thinking of a Child Reference Number or Child Benefit Number, which is allocated to a child when their parent is in receipt of child benefit for that child. AFAIK this is the same format as a NINO and therefore becomes their NINO when they come of age.

In short, it might be worth for the OP to check whether he already has a NINO if his parents were claiming child benefit for him before they left for New Zealand.

Originally Posted by BritInParis (Post 12241705)

A NINO is ordinarily issued at 15 years and 9 months, shortly before you legally become required to pay NI contributions at 16. old.sparkles, you may be thinking of a Child Reference Number or Child Benefit Number, which is allocated to a child when their parent is in receipt of child benefit for that child. AFAIK this is the same format as a NINO and therefore becomes their NINO when they come of age.

In short, it might be worth for the OP to check whether he already has a NINO if his parents were claiming child benefit for him before they left for New Zealand.

Originally Posted by scot47 (Post 12241917)

It is important to know that NINO, increasingly, Govt agencies use it as a unique identifier. ....

Originally Posted by Celticprince_86 (Post 12201584)

Hi all,

I've been in New Zealand since '95, when my dad took me & my sister to live in New Zealand because he wanted a new start in life. Now naturally I have only dim recollections of life in Britain, as I was very young when I left. I know many people say the country has gone to pot, and may even be past fixing, and I'd be better off here in New Zealand. However in all my years here I've always had a yearning to return, and a lack of connection to NZ. I've talked about leaving several times and done nothing more than get my passport. I believe my indecisiveness on going or staying has been more a fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of what would happen if I left over the certainty of staying.

That said, has anyone else here settled back home after a childhood/early adulthood spend away? If so how hard is it to get used to different slang/accents, money and sometimes reversed seasons? Did locals consider you an outsider or constantly tell you that you should have stayed and/or should go back? Basically how hard is it to settle? From my own research it seems pretty tough to get banking, doctors etc set up when you have no records/past in the UK because you left as child when parents took care of that.

Originally Posted by Foffion (Post 12249803)

.... The worst things are ..... and the food. ....

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 12249971)

Seriously? :confused: If you can't find good food in Britain you aren't trying very hard.

Originally Posted by Editha (Post 12249992)

But he's Italian. His standards are high.

Originally Posted by Foffion (Post 12249803)

Hello,
I am English but I grew up in Rome. After 35 years in Rome I came back to the UK. I had ZERO problems with banking, doctors, car insurance, rent and everything. Probably because I have a British passport, like you do.
It was not hard for me to get used to the slang, life etc. It did take me a couple of years. The worst things are the weather and the food. I am not planning on staying here for ever because I want to live in Europe.
Hope this helps.
Vivien

Originally Posted by Editha (Post 12249992)

But he's Italian. His standards are high.

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 12249997)

"He" has a pink Venus symbol next to his user name, like you do. :nod:

FWIW I have always been rather underwhelmed by Italian cuisine in Italy - meat with no veg, "salad" being nothing but a plate of lettuce, etc. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough either? :unsure:

Originally Posted by BritInParis (Post 12241705)

A NINO is ordinarily issued at 15 years and 9 months, shortly before you legally become required to pay NI contributions at 16. old.sparkles, you may be thinking of a Child Reference Number or Child Benefit Number, which is allocated to a child when their parent is in receipt of child benefit for that child. AFAIK this is the same format as a NINO and therefore becomes their NINO when they come of age.

In short, it might be worth for the OP to check whether he already has a NINO if his parents were claiming child benefit for him before they left for New Zealand.

Originally Posted by morpeth (Post 12250239)

If a British citizen born and grew up overseas, at 15 years and 9 months can they apply for NI number , or do they need to be residing in UK to do so ?
Or can they apply beforehand from abroad or using Uk address ?

Originally Posted by morpeth (Post 12250239)

If a British citizen born and grew up overseas, at 15 years and 9 months can they apply for NI number , or do they need to be residing in UK to do so ?
Or can they apply beforehand from abroad or using Uk address ?

Originally Posted by morpeth (Post 12250234)

Exactly. While there is a lot more variety, and quality in many areas, for cuisine and food availability in Britain compared to 30 or 40 years ago, still cant even remotely compare to most parts of Italy. That is the problem of having lived in Italy, afterwards almost any country you go to you miss the Italian cuisine- especially if moving to the UK or USA.

Originally Posted by vikingsail (Post 12250934)

We have excellent Italian food in the US! I'm going to Olive Garden this evening

Originally Posted by morpeth (Post 12251151)

If I worked for Italian consulate I would institute a lawsuit against Olive Garden ever mentioning their food was Italian !

Originally Posted by morpeth (Post 12250239)

If a British citizen born and grew up overseas, at 15 years and 9 months can they apply for NI number , or do they need to be residing in UK to do so ?
Or can they apply beforehand from abroad or using Uk address ?

Originally Posted by Celticprince_86 (Post 12254191)

Just a bit a a blog post really.
I still can hardly believe that by years end I'll be what I have wanted to be for the past 23 years. I am slowly adjusting my mind to think in terms of pounds not dollars and to really accept that my dearest wish is coming true. I went to travelex today and got some pounds while the exchange is still over .50. I now have £320 in mostly "well worn" 20's which cost me $622. Not a bad exchange rate, but I would have liked more. Can't win 'em all.I just found out that the is no £100 note and that the £50 may soon go too. What? I'm so used to having notes from $5 to $100 here. I also have to keep reminding myself that a higher number is not the same as more purchasing power. It is difficult though. It is becoming increasingly apparent that as prepared as I thought I was, moving to the UK is going to be a big change. I really should have held off for a while before booking my flight, but in the end I wouldn't have it any other way.

Originally Posted by Celticprince_86 (Post 12254191)

Just a bit a a blog post really.
I still can hardly believe that by years end I'll be what I have wanted to be for the past 23 years. I am slowly adjusting my mind to think in terms of pounds not dollars and to really accept that my dearest wish is coming true. I went to travelex today and got some pounds while the exchange is still over .50. I now have £320 in mostly "well worn" 20's which cost me $622. Not a bad exchange rate, but I would have liked more. Can't win 'em all.I just found out that the is no £100 note and that the £50 may soon go too. What? I'm so used to having notes from $5 to $100 here. I also have to keep reminding myself that a higher number is not the same as more purchasing power. It is difficult though. It is becoming increasingly apparent that as prepared as I thought I was, moving to the UK is going to be a big change. I really should have held off for a while before booking my flight, but in the end I wouldn't have it any other way.

Originally Posted by durham_lad (Post 12254337)

Last year I had cause to withdraw £8,600 in cash and it all came in £20 notes. I think the elimination of large denomination notes is because they are mostly used in criminal activities ( the proverbial briefcase full of cash) and also not readily accepted by stores who don't know what they look like.

Originally Posted by Celticprince_86 (Post 12254191)

Just a bit a a blog post really.
I still can hardly believe that by years end I'll be what I have wanted to be for the past 23 years. I am slowly adjusting my mind to think in terms of pounds not dollars and to really accept that my dearest wish is coming true. I went to travelex today and got some pounds while the exchange is still over .50. I now have £320 in mostly "well worn" 20's which cost me $622. Not a bad exchange rate, but I would have liked more. Can't win 'em all.I just found out that the is no £100 note and that the £50 may soon go too. What? I'm so used to having notes from $5 to $100 here. I also have to keep reminding myself that a higher number is not the same as more purchasing power. It is difficult though. It is becoming increasingly apparent that as prepared as I thought I was, moving to the UK is going to be a big change. I really should have held off for a while before booking my flight, but in the end I wouldn't have it any other way.

Originally Posted by cdfergus (Post 12254739)

I am going to UK in September. Is it advisable to buy pounds before going?

Thanks,
Chris

Originally Posted by cdfergus (Post 12254739)

I am going to UK in September. Is it advisable to buy pounds before going?

Thanks,
Chris

Originally Posted by Celticprince_86 (Post 12254815)

Well I have, both because I find it helpful in getting my mind thinking of "I have this much saved, and ths is how much stuff will cost" rather than "I have this much saved" and then being caught out because of the differance. And also, because I didn't know when/if the pound would become more expensive to buy later.

At the end of the day, it's a judgement best left to you.

Originally Posted by cdfergus (Post 12254830)

Thanks, no harm in checking with my bank I suppose!

Originally Posted by Celticprince_86 (Post 12254191)

I just found out that the is no £100 note and that the £50 may soon go too.

Originally Posted by HKG3 (Post 12256136)

Scottish and Northern Irish banks do print and use £100 banknotes.

Current Banknotes :: Current Banknotes

As far as I know, all three Scottish banks (Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland) produce £100 banknotes.

Originally Posted by Celticprince_86 (Post 12256262)

Aye, and I'll get one if I ever go to Scotland, but I meant there's no 100 pound note that is legal tender throughout the UK. ....

Originally Posted by durham_lad (Post 12253573)

I've just been looking at this myself as our son moved to the US when he was 4 and now in his 30's is moving back in October. Since we have a Jobs Centre Plus on the high street I even walked in and asked about it.

As the others said, you have to be a UK resident to apply for a NINO but not having one doesn't prevent you from applying for a job.

Originally Posted by morpeth (Post 12258827)

Thanks, I just asked the same question at a local employer. My oldest son I have been discussing his moving back to the North East. He spent summers in Northumberland growing up but been away for a while now. Comparing the life he could have in Northumberland vs his life in USA, he would have a better quality of life in Northumberland with exception of the price of a decent home.

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 12258815)

Scottish banknotes aren't legal tender, even in Scotland. Curiously Bank of England banknotes aren't legal tender in Scotland either! :rofl:

The Scottish and Irish banks treat their own banknotes as a marketing overhead as there is no purely financial imperative for them to issue their own banknotes, and they can only issues notes backed 100% by a matching deposit with the Bank of England, otherwise Scottish and Irish banknotes would increase the money supply, but the deposit with the Bank of England takes the same amount of money out of circulation.

Why are you concerned, and why do you need more than a few anyway? :confused:

You usually get half-decent notes from a cash point because ratty notes might jam the mechanism.

I use very little cash, and if it wasn't for pocket money for my daughter I could survive on $20 for three months in the US, and most of that would go on small tips. I would bet that £20 would last me six months in the UK.

Originally Posted by Celticprince_86 (Post 12259129)

Huh, what a marvellously complicated money system Britain has! No notes are legal tender, yet they are usually accepted as payment.:lol:

I got my notes from a money exchange place, so with 1-2 exceptions they're what people had left over after a trip to the UK, so are in well used condition. I am worried that they may not be in good enough nick to be accepted, though I suppose they wouldn't have been given to me if they were in too poor condition. I have £320 so it's a fair amount of money.

Originally Posted by Celticprince_86 (Post 12259129)

Huh, what a marvellously complicated money system Britain has! No notes are legal tender, yet they are usually accepted as payment.:lol:

I got my notes from a money exchange place, so with 1-2 exceptions they're what people had left over after a trip to the UK, so are in well used condition. I am worried that they may not be in good enough nick to be accepted, though I suppose they wouldn't have been given to me if they were in too poor condition. I have £320 so it's a fair amount of money.

Originally Posted by old.sparkles (Post 12259217)

Not sure I'd call £320 a 'fair amount' :unsure:

Originally Posted by old.sparkles (Post 12259217)

Did you buy a return ticket to the UK? What are your plans financially? £320 will not go far.

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 12259202)

It is unlikely that they are too worn to be used - there are some pretty trashy notes in circulation in the UK, but if you are worried that they are too worn to be accepted you should be able to exchange them at any bank. Certainly having writing on them isn't at all unusual and in no way invalidates them.