I have now been back in UK for 19 days. Went to register for temporary office work to tide me over whilst I look for proper work but I hit a few issues and wondered how others have worked around this?

The temp agency said they are 'required' (through legislation) to see proof of address and residency for example utility bill or rental agreement. I am staying with relatives so I don't have any documentation in my name.

Secondly they asked for a National Insurance 'card'. I don't have one of these, I just know my number in my head as I always have done. The only thing I have with this on is a pension statement so I wonder if that will suffice to associate the name and dob with the number?

I would appreciate hearing how anyone else has got around these registering for work issues.

And as a note I must say that I am finding temp rates are incredibly low - £6 a hour for office work in the South of England. I also noticed that a lot of administration style jobs are advertised at only £12,000 to £14,000 per annum. I was on almost 30k a year five years ago before I went overseas ........

Pay rates seem very incompatible with rents in the area. Is it just me that thinks the UK has become a low wage economy? I thought NZ was a low wage economy but it seems very high paid with the current exchange rates!!!! (2.00 nzd to 1.00 gbp today!)

Anyways thats my update so far - so not looking to rosy at the moment.

Such is life !

They shouldn't need to see a national insurance card - the number alone should be enough. I lost my card when I was about 19 but have managed to apply for multiple jobs in the last 10 years without any difficulty. Surely a bank statement sent to your current address would suffice for proof of residence.

£6.00 an hour seems really low - the minimum wage is currently £5.93 for anyone over 21. However, unemployment is high right now so even skilled jobs are being advertised at what seem like really low rates.

Good luck!

I just got my NI on a bit of paper from the jobcentre, that NI "card" seems like something from the 1960's!!!

Those pay rates do seem very low but maybe they are for more junior admin positions, the same as here in Australia junior's get paid a lot less than experienced operators.

Yes there are loads of low paid temp jobs around. However you should see it as a stepping stone, and try and advance within the job (perhaps take an accounting course or whatever is relevant) or, better, apply for a better paid job while you are temping. For example, you may wish to try something different like drive buses - I often see adverts for bus drivers. Not the best paid job in the world, but better than £6 a hour. Other options (just off the back of my head) - training as a care worker, or taking a doorman's license that allows working part-time as a doorman at the weekends. A part-time job may the short term answer to help with the bills until your main job is more lucrative.
I can understand why things look a bit precarious at the moment, but I'm sure you'll get things sorted eventually. Good luck, and (hopefully) a more prosperous New Year!

Could you go to another agency ? I don't understand why they are so keen on seeing your N.I. card when you can prove your N.I. number.

I'm registered with a couple of agencies and both did indeed require to see proof of address. We, too, are [temporarily] living with a relative but I showed them some paperwork I received after I registered with the local GP. This might be the quickest way for you to obtain proof of address.

Another possible quick/easy way for proof of address would be to open a bank account. I am not working yet, but it was relatively easy for me to apply online for an Easy Cash account with Halifax. Once you do this, it will automatically start to generate some paperwork that will, again, be a proof of address for you.

I never had an NI card but I did have some paperwork from DWP from when I first applied for my number. But I don't think they can require you to produce an NI card. An old P40 might work if your NI number is on that?

I am a career Legal Secretary (American) and am finding wages here (Greater London) extremely LOW.

Good luck to you!