Update on my story if anybody is interested - Barclays are cancelling me in November (although interestingly if I can't get things sorted out by then the apologist crony from them said I could keep the account open for a few MONTHS (not years) longer) so I've been searching other LEGIT (i.e. not using fake UK addresses which is FRAUD chaps) means.
I registered with WISE but am uniimpressed. They don't FEEL like a bank
I tried all the other "big four" (as they used to be) banks international offering and found them much of a muchness - gives us a hundred grand, stick in the account and don't touch it. Yeah right effectively paying this amount for the privilege of a bank account. Except one -
Lloyds need an income to start with of 50k GBP a year OR deposit 25k (which I think you can take it after a "certain period"). After that, so long as you pay them GBP7.50 a month there are no other income requirements. As I haven't retired yet I can qualify. Joining was a bit of a long-drawn out process but I have FINALLY got it working, Internet banking and all.