Bank account for new au pair

[TooBusyByHalf]

Our new au pair would like a UK bank account. And I'd like him to have one too so I can pay him by bank transfer. His GF who has just started au-pairing too couldn't get a bank account when she tried last week.
Is any particular bank more likely to say yes? Is there any particular thing you need to know/say?
He is an EU citizen, and new to the UK.

I used to do (free) transfers to my aupair's German account. They don't need a UK one IMO, even for that. They are not here to "work" so it's not the same need.

thanks Gin - But then they would pay to convert the money back to pounds when they take it from a cash machine here wouldn't they?

We set up an account with the metro bank, I'm not sure how many branches they have though.
She took in her passport, drivers licence and letter of introduction from me (I went in too).
With our second au pair DH decided he didn't want them having a bank account registered at our address in case they went into debt and it affected our credit rating, so we just pay her in cash weekly.

Hi, i also needed a bank account when i was aupair in London (i'm French) and it was pretty easy i just went to the local Barclay's branch with a letter of recommendation from my French bank with the french account details and a letter from my host family attesting i was living there with them as well as my id papers and that was it we open my account for free very fast.

My au pair set an account up in the UK with Lloyds

Took some ID and was issued with the card within a few days

Au pair is from the EU

I've done a fair bit of googling around for anyone else who's interested. Lloyds are recommended for people new to UK, and only require EU passport as ID. (Other countries are fine too, but I was specifically looking for EU). I'll let you know how we get on.

HSBC basic account - can be opened with passport and proof of their home address in country of origin

We cheated and have a GoHenry pocket money account and give a card to our au pair. Means I can do weekly transfers or instant top-ups if I ask them to get some bits from the shops. And the cards can be used online, at ATMs and in shops.