sounds like you have the keyboard on US settings. You will need to search for keyboard settings in help though because i have a mac now and can't remember how to make the change.
My old lappy did that, and like you, it was set to UK settings, I never did figure it out, I just lived with it ;-)
As for the weather (which you asked 'bout on another thread), it's freakin' cold, and hailstoney, pretty bloody miserable in fact, so pretty much normal for Lancs really!
I go along with woofgang and feel certain that your keyboard is on US settings. I once bought an Acer comp from Tesco because it was £200 less than any other 'on-line' retailer. It had the identical problem to which you have with the £ and @; and could well have been the reason for the high discount.
However, I was able to put matters right by going into 'Help' and following the instructions. It then proved to be an excellent 17inch Laptop; until lightening struck my house and electrical power surge ruined it beyond repair.
PS. What makes you so sure that the keyboard has been set for the UK. It may indeed have on its surface all the appropriate keys, but how it's programmed is what matters.
You should still check the settings TWR. Go into control panel, click on the keyboard icon and check it is set to UK, then also click on the region and language icon and check it is set to English, UK.
I can only think of one other thing that has caused this problem for me and that is make sure your computer's date and time are set correctly, if they are then I have no idea what the problem is.
Thanks Alba, have you ever looked that hard that you have missed something? that was the problem, I should have gone for a brew the re-tried, all is well now Thks.