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Find out more about elections and referendums in the UK, including the general election, check who can vote in each election and how voting works.

• Overview

  There are different types of UK elections. The most common ones are:…

• General election

  General elections (elections to the UK Parliament) usually take place…

• Local government

  Local government elections take place at least every 4 years. Not all…

• Scottish Parliament

  There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). To vote in…

• Northern Ireland Assembly

  There are 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in the Northern…

• Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament)

  There are 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs). To vote in Senedd elections you…

• Local mayors, Mayor of London and London Assembly

  Elected local mayors In some areas of England voters elect a mayor. Check…

• Police and Crime Commissioner

  There are 41 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales…

• Referendums

  A referendum is a vote on a single issue. You usually make one choice…

Apply for a Scale-up Worker visa if you’ve been offered a skilled job with a fast-growing UK employer - eligibility, fees, documents, extend, switch or update, bring your partner and children.

• Overview

  A Scale-up Worker visa allows you to come to the UK to do an eligible job…

• Your job

  You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for a…

• Knowledge of English

  You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when…

• How much it costs

  When you apply for a Scale-up Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough…

• Documents you’ll need to apply

  When you apply you’ll need to provide: your certificate of sponsorship…

• Apply from outside the UK

  You must apply online for a Scale-up Worker visa. Check which documents…

• Your partner and children

  Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as…

• Update your visa if you change employer in the first 6 months

  You’ll need to apply to update your Scale-up Worker visa if you want to…

• Extend your visa

  You can usually apply to extend your Scale-up Worker visa if both of the…

• Switch to this visa

  You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Scale-up Worker visa…

This collection of guidance sets out what candidates need to know and do about their security and signposts to more detailed guidance.

• Updated: 12 January 2026

Get help to classify pharmaceutical products used to treat or prevent diseases or ailments (in humans or animals), including comparators used in clinical trials and placebos.

• Updated: 22 July 2021

UK visa sponsorship information for employers - requirements, certificates and licences for Workers and Temporary Workers.

Get endorsement and approval to apply for the Global Talent visa to work in the UK as a leader in arts and culture - architecture, fashion, film, television.

Employees' rights at work under fixed-term contracts - and what happens if a contract is renewed or ended.

• Updated: 1 January 2010

Get endorsement for the Global Talent visa to work in the UK as a researcher or academic leader - fellowship, UKRI endorsement, peer review.

Recruitment process, rates of pay, overview of the panel, lists of members and guidance for barristers who work ‘off panel’.

• Updated: 6 February 2026