you can make the change from QNE to QNH while above the transition level
In the UK 'QNE' is not an altimeter setting. It is the reading in feet on an altimeter with the sub-scale set to 1013.2 hPa when the aircraft is at aerodrome or touchdown elevation. it is used during conditions of exceptionally low atmospheric pressure when it is not possible to set QFE or QNH on some aircraft altimeters.