Building Credit in the UK?

So I moved here June 21st 08, opened a bank account a couple days later, and found a job and was hired July 3rd.

I was told by the bank that once I started to deposit money into my account, I would be able to get a debit card.  Ever since I got paid, I started having all my money deposited straight into my account.  A few weeks ago I went to the bank and asked if I could have a debit card yet, and they checked and told me no, because I didn't use my cash card enough, or didnt have credit.  I already knew I didnt have credit, but I used my cash card all the time....

Any help of what I could do to build up my credit?

Thanks

You could try get a credit card and make a few small purchases on it.  You'll probably get a crappy rate but as long as you pay it off in full each month it should be ok.

Also mobile phone contracts help to build credit I believe but it's hard to get one without credit sometimes.   

It's weird they wouldn't give you a debit card, my husband has had a debit and credit card since he got here.

yeah, it is weird, my friend is from sri lanka, and always gives me a hard time that in his first week here he was given a debit and credit card, plus overdraft haha

who do you bank with, out of curiosity?

nationwide

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=49083.0