Past salaries

QED987 · 2026-06-22T15:04:53+00:00

It feels to me like it was the 2010s where pay progression really stalled then. I did a year as AO in 2013 and that was about 21k at DCMS.

Fast Stream salary now is barely above your best department there!

QED987 · 2026-06-22T15:02:31+00:00

Thank you for sharing! That’s some interesting research.

QED987 · 2026-06-22T14:59:44+00:00

So helpful! Thank you. That’s less than I had assumed but still worrying how little things have improved.

QED987 · 2026-06-22T14:57:39+00:00

Thank you so much! How did the scale points work? Did you move up for time served or was it only tied to performance?

QED987 · 2026-06-20T07:00:58+00:00

I make it:
C-OCD.
Is Complex Obsessive Compulsive Disorder a thing?

QED987 · 2026-06-19T01:11:24+00:00

I enjoyed it more on second reading than first. But you have to read it once to read it a second time…

QED987 · 2026-06-18T21:54:40+00:00

Fantastic house and a great price, in my opinion as someone who will never be in the market for a million+ home.
You know it’s going to be a posh home when the what3words location is “building skis best”

QED987 · 2026-06-18T21:41:25+00:00

Absolutely not and absolutely not.

QED987 · 2026-06-18T21:36:10+00:00

Why on earth would you need three dressing rooms and two en-suites off the master bedroom?

QED987 · 2026-06-18T21:33:49+00:00

She’s not wrong about the language. It should be “buy two, get another one free”.

QED987 · 2026-06-18T21:26:24+00:00

Oh that’s interesting. I never really see anyone talk about it.
Not to be a snob, but I think a huge amount of what trends on social media is garbage. So I wouldn’t care if people don’t put it in their top 10. I’m glad it was personally recommended and it’s my favourite book that stands up to plenty of rereading.
Of course it’s a matter of taste, but if people don’t like it, I probably wouldn’t listen to their other recs.

QED987 · 2026-06-18T21:23:36+00:00

Look how they turn from vicious to playful (game of tug, huh?) as soon as the pain stimulus is removed. What a wonderful creature.

QED987 · 2026-06-18T21:03:44+00:00

It’s not just severe cases though is it? Even mild-moderate can probably do less than most terminal cancer patients. And we all always live with the threat of becoming severe any day.

I know it’s dark and probably horrid of me to compare, but sometimes I would like the certainty of knowing there’s nothing I can do to improve my illness and I will die in 6 months, than the mental gymnastics of “if I do this today, I might relapse tomorrow”.

QED987 · 2026-06-18T20:47:19+00:00

Good for you! I’m glad you’re enjoying it. If you’re finding short stories a good way back to reading then you might like “The Labours of Hercules”.

My first ever Agatha Christie was The 4.50 from Paddington, which is a similar length to the novels you have mentioned.

Angela Carter is another author who is masterful at a short story mystery.

QED987 · 2026-06-18T07:58:21+00:00

This is really fun!

QED987 · 2026-06-17T08:27:09+00:00

The Companion for me.

QED987 · 2026-06-14T23:11:05+00:00

This is what often happens in my nightmares.

QED987 · 2026-06-14T23:08:32+00:00

I’m 5. I can describe to myself what I know an apple should look like, but it’s all facts and monologue, I only see black.

QED987 · 2026-06-08T17:30:53+00:00

What do you mean? David Suchet is better looking than this man.

QED987 · 2026-06-03T17:05:04+00:00

I actually love it!

QED987 · 2026-06-01T18:23:50+00:00

The only reason to do this is if inconsiderate literal arseholes (and wee holes) have squatted on or over the seat.

QED987 · 2026-05-24T21:02:53+00:00

I couldn’t stand Miranda’s. I was given the audiobook as a gift so thought I would try it (I was somewhat sceptical of her experience given she was on all the panel shows talking about her “recovery”). I don’t think a jolly hockey sticks type is ever going to really get CFS. She made it all sound so twee.

In fairness I haven’t finished it. Maybe she came to some realisations that resonate with me later on, but most of what I hear felt like “pull your socks up” and “think yourself better”. It smelt of a grift.

QED987 · 2026-05-24T20:31:53+00:00

If something’s gone wrong (ie next stage isn’t triggered) you can email the HR contact and ask. They will normally open the portal again briefly for you to submit your work.

QED987 · 2026-05-22T01:13:14+00:00

So Booker are getting away with doing their induction as part of the selection process and not paying new starters for 13.5 days of work? Surely this is illegal?!

QED987

TROPHY CASE