Ok, here's the situation. It is currently "difficult" for people in the UK to get involved in these cryptocurrency without having pay at least 25% more than what they are currently worth through websites such as localbitcoin and bitcoinbargain.
Just to update, margins are currently down to less than 5% on Local Bitcoins in the UK and have been for a couple of days now. Bitstamp is also cheap if you can wait for the coins.