The U.K. is a highly literate society. Education is compulsory for 12 years and attendance is nearly 100 percent. 99 percent of the population over 15 years of age can read and write. Labor Force Total 29,000,000. Retail Monday to Friday 9a.m. to 7p.m. Slightly shorter hours on the weekend.
Banks offer the most favorable exchange rates.
Traveler's checks receive a better exchange rate than cash, or you can purchase sterling traveler's check before departure, which can be exchanged almost everywhere. Credit cards, American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Diners Club, are widely accepted in the United Kingdom. Long term visitors should set up a checking account in the United Kingdom, and get an ATM card. In recent years, however, the extremes have become more extreme, and the seasons have been more distinct, with a number of extremely hot summers, and daylight lasting past 10p.m., and air-conditioning is often a luxury, even in the capital. Wales in the west suffers from a lot of rain, and the north of the country experiences harsh winters and moderate summers.