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Links
In addition to the organisations and institutions on this page there are links to partners of the FCO's 'Know Before You Go' campaign. Know Before You Go Current Partners include Associations and Organisations, Travel Companies, Insurance and Assistance Partners, Banks and Foreign Exchange, Retailers and Travel Products.
UK Government
- Directgov www.direct.gov.uk
Directgov is the place to turn to for the latest and widest range of public services and government information. Book a driving test, find a job, get advice about childcare, renew your passport and lots more.
- UK Passport Service http://www.ukps.gov.uk/
An executive agency of the Home Office, the UK Passport Agency issues UK passports to British Nationals living in the UK. It also issues visas for entry into British dependent territories overseas to foreign nationals and Commonwealth citizens already in the UK.
- Treasury SME Euro Resource http://www.euro.gov.uk/
The Treasury's euro business website provides simple, factual euro information to help firms understand the business implications of the euro and to make practical preparations to maintain competitiveness in Europe. The site offers on-line publications and case studies and links to other sources of euro information.
- Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm
The Pet Travel Scheme allows pet animals from certain countries to enter the UK without quarantine, as long as they meet certain conditions. The Scheme also means that people in the UK can, having taken their pets to these countries, bring them back without the need for quarantine.
- 10 Downing Street http://www.number10.gov.uk/
The Prime Minister's official website provides information on the role of Number 10 and government news, e-mail updates and links to other government websites.
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/default.htm/
The DEFRA website has news on areas affected by the Foot and Mouth outbreak and on countryside access. It also has a helpline and provides details of export controls for British Residents travelling overseas.
- UK Resilience http://www.ukresilience.info/home.htm
This is the website of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office. It provides links to government and non-government sources on a wide variety of emergencies and crises that can affect the UK, plus emergency planning guidance and government information.
- Consumer Direct http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/goods-service/holidays/index.shtml
Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, supported by the Department of Trade and Industry. They provide clear, practical, impartial advice to help you sort out problems and disagreements you may be having with suppliers of goods or services. From overcharging to faulty goods, from dodgy workmanship to reporting dishonest traders and scams, our advisers are ready to offer solutions for individual problems.
- HM Customs and Excise (HMCE) http://www.hmce.gov.uk/public/travel/index.htm
The HMCE site provides guidance for travellers entering the UK on personal allowances, declaring goods to Customs, and prohibited and restricted goods. Various on-line publications are available for download, as well as details of the 'Customs Confidential' hotline for reporting smuggling offences (Tel: 0800 59 5000).
- Adoption Overseas www.dfes.gov.uk/intercountryadoption/links
This Department for Education and Skills website provides guidance for anyone involved or interested in inter-country adoption, including British Citizens residing abroad. The site offers on-line publications, information (FAQs) and links to other relevant websites.
- Trade Partners UK http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/
Trade Partners UK helps UK businesses secure overseas sales and investments. It is responsible for trade development, co-ordination and trade support services within the UK; the commercial work of embassies and other diplomatic posts; and promotes exporters' interests within the Government. Trade Partners UK works alongside Invest UK within British Trade International. The site offers on-line information and help with identifying export opportunities (including free sales leads), practical experience of all aspects of exporting, and links to other sites.
- The General Register Office (GRO) http://www.statistics.gov.uk/nsbase/registration/general_register.asp
The registration of births, marriages and deaths is overseen by the GRO, which is part of National Statistics. The Overseas Section holds records of the births, marriages and deaths of British citizens overseas that have been registered with the British registering authorities, eg British Consuls, High Commissions and HM Forces. For England and Wales events Tel: +44 (0) 870 243 7788. For overseas events Tel: +44 (0) 151 471 4801.
- Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) http://www.dwp.gov.uk
The DWP was formed from the former Department of Social Security, the former Department for Education and Employment, and the Employment Service. For information on social security benefits if you have recently come from abroad see leaflet GL28; see leaflet GL29 on how to claim benefits if you are going abroad.
- Human Rights in Foreign Policy http://hrpd.fco.gov.uk/
The Human Rights Policy Department (HRPD) is the central point of advice and expertise on human rights in the FCO and it leads on thematic human rights issues. The HRPD advises on general principles and the consistency of approach throughout the work of the FCO. The site provides a database of projects the FCO supports through the dedicated Human Rights Project Fund.
- UK CITES http://www.ukcites.gov.uk/travel/default.htm
The UK Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Souvenir Alert! campaign highlights the pitfalls of buying wildlife souvenirs and products overseas. The site provides a range of information on endangered and internationally protected species, and sets out how travellers can avoid returning from abroad with illegal souvenirs in their luggage.
- Child Abduction Unit - The Lord Chancellor's Department
http://www.offsol.demon.co.uk/intnchab.htm
The Lord Chancellor's Child Abduction Unit acts as the administrative Central Authority for England and Wales under the Hague and European Conventions on Child Abduction. The site offers on-line information and guidance on the operation of the Conventions and links to other sources of information.
- Home Office Race Equality Unit (REU) http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/reu/reu.htm
The Home Office REU represents the UK on race equality issues at European Union, United Nations and Council of Europe meetings. The site offers on-line information on the work of the REU and the report of the REU working group on forced marriages.
- Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) http://www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/mobile/roam1101.htm
Oftel is the regulator for the UK telecommunications industry. Its aims are to promote the interests of consumers and to ensure fair competition. The site offers on-line publications and research by Oftel on mobile telephony. The Oftel report on the costs of international roaming highlights ways to save money on mobile use abroad.
- Health And Safety Executive (HSE) Hygiène Sécurité au Travail
The HSE ensures that risks to people's health and safety from work activities are properly controlled. The site links to organisations concerned with health and safety and related areas in both the UK and internationally, and offers guidance on the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 for employees being sent overseas and their employers.
- Inland Revenue http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/menus/non-residents.htm
The Inland Revenue produces guidance for non-resident taxpayers that live or work abroad, or plan to do so. The site links to other UK Government sites and to overseas tax authority websites, and offers a range of on-line information and guidance (eg on National Insurance liability, healthcare, and retirement pension forecasts).
- Home Office http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/cppmwya.htm
The Home Office Crime Reduction website provides helpful tips on how to make your home look lived in when you are away, getting your neighbour to help and a checklist of things to remember.
Charity Organisations
- Prisoners Abroad http://www.prisonersabroad.org.uk/
The charity Prisoners Abroad provides information, advice and support to Britons detained overseas, to their families and friends, and to released prisoners trying to re-establish themselves in society. It can also advise on prison transfers.
- REUNITE http://www.reunite.org/
The charity Reunite helps in cases of parental child abduction and international custody disputes. Their confidential telephone advice line offers practical information on the issue.
- The Samaritans http://www.samaritans.org.uk/
The Samaritans is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support to any person who is suicidal or despairing.
- Victim Support http://www.victimsupport.com/
Victim Support is an independent charity that helps people cope with the effects of crime. It provides free and confidential advice through its centres throughout the UK and contacts with other victim support groups across the world.
- National Missing Persons Helpline (NMPH) http://www.missingpersons.org/
The charity NMPH helps find missing persons and provides information, advice and support to their family & friends. They run two confidential helplines: the Message Home Helpline (Tel: 0800 700 740) and the Missing Persons Helpline (Tel: 0500 700 700 / +44 (0) 20 8392 4545).
- The Royal Association for Disability & Rehabilitation (RADAR) http://www.radar.org.uk/
The charity RADAR provides information and advice for disabled people. It publishes guides on holiday planning, transport and accommodation. The site offers news, information on events and links to other sites providing disability-related information, services or research.
- Diabetes UK http://www.diabetes.org.uk/
The charity Diabetes UK helps people with diabetes and funds research into the condition. The website offers up-to-date news, information on events and research, links to other sites, and advice on managing diabetes (FAQs, treatment, diet, and pregnancy).
- National Asthma Campaign (NAC) http://www.asthma.org.uk/
The NAC helps people with asthma and funds research into the condition. The website offers up-to-date news, information on events and research and on-line publications. The NAC runs a confidential helpline (Tel: 0845 701 0203).
- Age Concern http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/
The charity Age Concern provides information, advice and support to older persons. The website offers information on events, news, links to other sites, and on-line publications, including a factsheet called 'Holidays for Older People'.
- The Suzy Lamplugh Trust http://www.suzylamplugh.org
The Trust is the national charity for personal safety. It assists people to lead safer lives by promoting understanding of potential dangers and how to tackle them. The site offers personal safety tips and guidance for young travellers through the World Wise website.
- Support after Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM) www.samm.org.uk
The charity SAMM offers support to those bereaved through murder and manslaughter and runs a confidential telephone Help Line (Tel: 020 7735 3838). The website links to sources of further information and to other centres of support.
- Cruse Bereavement Care http://www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk/
The charity Cruse Bereavement Care helps and supports anyone bereaved by death. Cruse provides support and counselling and runs a confidential Help Line (Tel: 0870 167 1677). The website offers information on publications, events, and advice on bereavement
- Rape Crisis Federation (RCF) http://www.rapecrisis.co.uk/
The Rape Crisis Federation (RCF) offers advice and/or support to individuals around the issues of rape and sexual abuse/assault. The RCF acts as a referral service and puts individuals in contact with their nearest/local rape and sexual abuse counselling service (Tel: 0115 934 8474). The website links to other centres of support and offers information on RCF member groups throughout England and Wales.
- The Compassionate Friends (TCF) http://www.tcf.org.uk
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a charity organisation of bereaved parents and their families offering support to others after the death of a child or children. The website offers a range on information on publications, TCF events and links to other sources of information and centres of support.
- INFORM http://www.inform.ac
The charity Information Network Focus On Religious Movements (INFORM) aims to help people by providing them with accurate, balanced, up-to-date information about new and/or alternative religious or spiritual movements. The website offers guidance and information about seminars and events.
- Tourism Concern http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk
Tourism Concern is a membership organisation that campaigns for more ethical and fairly traded tourism, and for change in the tourism industry. It offers an extensive range of information in different media for tourists, students and teachers on being sensitive to environments, cultures and communities. The website offers information on campaigns and publications, on-line articles, a responsible travel code, and links to sources of further information.
- The Rory Peck Trust http://www.rorypecktrust.org/
The Rory Peck Trust exists to promote the safety and security of freelance newgatherers around the world, and to help the dependants of those who are killed or seriously injured in the course of their work.
Other Related Links
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Worldwise Travel Information http://www.brookes.ac.uk/worldwise/
The World Wise Directory provides country-by-country practical tips on health, safety, visa and currency requirements as well as information on local codes of dress and behaviour.
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European Central Bank (ECB) http://www.euro.ecb.int/en.html/
The ECB website provides information on all aspects of the euro, including up-to-date news, background information, conversion rates and designs for euro banknotes and coins. The 'Getting Ready for the euro' section has FAQ's and offers links to other sources of information and advice.
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The Association of Retired and Persons Over 50 (ARP/O50) http://www.arp.org.uk
The ARP is membership organisation that campaigns on behalf of people over the age of 50. The site offers information on travel, on doing voluntary work abroad and a checklist for persons wanting to live and retire overseas.
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The Electoral Commission www.electoralcommission.org.uk
The Electoral Commission reviews UK electoral law and practice and promotes public awareness of the electoral process. The website offers FAQ’s on subjects such as overseas voting, and provides a wide range of information and on-line publications on the 2001 General Election. The site also list donations made to UK political parties. (To register as an overseas elector British citizens must contact the electoral registration officer at the local council where they were last registered as an elector when living in the UK. However, the necessary forms will soon be made available over the Electoral Commission website.)
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The Press Complaints Commission: http://www.pcc.org.uk
The Press Complaints Commission is an independent body which deals with complaints from members of the public about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines. Their service to the public is free, quick and easy. They will be able to help if you feel you are being harassed by members of the media.
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Need2Know: http://need2know.co.uk
Need2Know is a new portal that provides a ‘first-stop-shop’ for areas of life such as travel, with relevant sign-posts to valuable websites in the public, private and charitable sectors.
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