HMRC, DWP, ILR, P45, V5C — British paperwork is full of abbreviations you cannot guess. These are the ones that actually appear in our reporting: what they are, why they matter and where to read the official rule.
The EU border system that records fingerprints and a facial image instead of stamping the passport.
Here is who in the UK will need one, which residence permits exempt you, why Irish documents do not, and how ETIAS differs from the EES. ETIAS: do UK travellers need it, what it costs and when it starts
Official source · appears in 8 of our articles
A legally binding plan setting out the support a child with special needs must receive.
How to appeal a council EHC plan decision at the SEND Tribunal If the council refuses to assess your child's special educational needs, or you disagree with the plan, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. How to appeal a council EHC plan decision at the SEND Tribunal
Official source · appears in 20 of our articles
An A-to-G rating of a property's energy use, required when selling or letting.
Ask in advance for the gas safety record, the electrical report and the EPC: the landlord must provide them, and their absence is a warning sign. Renting in London and England: prices, where to search and the 2026 rules
Official source · appears in 8 of our articles
A payment for people unable to work through illness or disability who have enough NI contributions.
The qualifying period is the same six months on Universal Credit, ESA or Pension Credit, unless you need the money to start a new job or stay in work. UK interest-free government loans: £100 to £812
Official source · appears in 36 of our articles
English courses for adults whose first language is not English; many are free or government-funded.
Readers already in Britain can also use our guide to free and funded ESOL courses . Free English with a native speaker: how Russian speakers can find a language partner
Official source · appears in 10 of our articles
A pre-travel permit for visa-free nationals, applied for online and linked to the passport.
So if you hold an eVisa, an ETA or a passport from one of the eGate-eligible countries, you still put your passport on the reader for now. Contactless eGates at UK airports: no need to put your passport on the reader
Official source · appears in 15 of our articles
The route by which EU citizens and their families obtained settled or pre-settled status after Brexit.
EU Settlement Scheme: settled vs pre-settled status in 2026 EU citizens and their families live in the UK under EUSS status. EU Settlement Scheme: settled vs pre-settled status in 2026
Official source · appears in 10 of our articles
Regulates banks, insurers, brokers and lenders; its register shows whether a firm is authorised.
Access to cash in the UK: how to request an ATM or banking hub after a branch closes Banks are closing branches, but under FCA rules it should stay possible to pay in and take out cash near home. Access to cash in the UK: how to request an ATM or banking hub after a branch closes
Official source · appears in 40 of our articles
Anyone's right to request information from a public body, which must reply within a statutory deadline.
How does this differ from an FOI request? Subject access requests: getting your records, emails and CCTV
Official source · appears in 4 of our articles
Repays customers when a bank or financial firm fails, up to a limit set by law.
Money in a cash ISA is usually protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 per person per bank. ISAs in the UK: £20,000 tax-free a year and the 25% Lifetime ISA bonus
Official source · appears in 17 of our articles
London-wide government — the Mayor and Assembly — covering transport, policing, housing and development.
Suppliers: search GLA Group and council opportunities through the official Central Digital Platform rather than paying an intermediary for a “guaranteed tender”. 150,000 jobs for London: what the Growth Plan promises and what is verified
Official source · appears in 12 of our articles
Your local family doctor and the first point of contact with the NHS; treats you or refers you onward.
Men registered with a GP are invited automatically. AAA screening for men at 65 in the UK: why the NHS invites you for an abdominal ultrasound
Official source · appears in 124 of our articles
Missing an abbreviation? Write to info@onlyway.news and we will add it. Abbreviations that appear in our texts but are not yet explained are queued automatically.
A person from the newsroom reads this and answers, usually the same day.
