Getting a bank account & credit card questions..

I read somewhere it's hard to open a bank account in the UK...

Will it be just as hard if I already have a bank account and want to switch over to a different bank? I have a Natwest account from a year ago and never gotten around to closing it. There isn't any money in it, but I could transfer some in if I needed to.. I'm moving to the UK soon and won't have any proof of residency ect so I think it would be hard for me.

Also I'm wondering how hard it is to get a credit card in the UK? I don't have any credit history and I would like to start building it up now. Or is credit history important in the UK?

Also I can't use the Natwest account because there isn't any branches where I'll be living.

if you already have a natwest account- it will be easier to get another bank account- if you're recieving statements from natwest.  are you? 

basically, to open a bank account in the UK you need: 1- proof of identity (passport), 2- proof of address (bank statment in your name, to UK address would do the trick)

Easiest way to start building credit is with a catalogue/store account - buy something off of Next or something like that. Then once you've had your bank account for a while, see if you can get an overdraft. Then a credit card. It takes time though.

thanks, i'm not recieving bank statements but I guess I could turn the option back on and change the address to my bf's parents that way I'll have statements when I apply.

If I use his parent's address to set up too, am I allowed to change the address a couple weeks later when I find an apartment?

And also, will they be using the statements to see if I have a steady income or just for residency purposes? Because I won't have a steady income nor that much money showing on the statements.

Thanks