I really need to some advice here

Out of A and B, which has more chance of progressing in future? Either by promotion or by making you more attractive to future employers?

If they are equivalent, I’d take B.

Accept b but keep looking. If you find something else, withdraw your acceptance on b.

This is obviously accept b to start AFTER you've received your payoff from current role.

Not before.

How long can you wait it out? Maybe you'd have time to see about the roles you have interviews for before going back to your old employer?

It isn't always last in first out. You mention being the most qualified for your role, I was the last into my team and now I am the team.

That said, once layoffs start it's sometimes better to get out. The workplace environment definitely changes once 10, 25, 50% of the team has gone.

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If I was you I would not put myself forward for redundancy until you have an offer from your previous employer. Remember nothing is created until you see it in ink.
I think you need to have open chat with your previous employer, explaining to them that you cannot put yourself forward for redundancy until you have an offer from them and that clock is ticking with putting yourself forward. You don't need to mention the number but should tell them that while you are forever grateful you do want to receive settlement from your current employer hence will need time to accept their offer. Then you are buying yourself some time.
If for some reason your current employer decides to keep you you go back to your previous employer and explain to them that you will forgo a lot of money if you move to them but still would like to do so if they give you some signing bonus or increased salary.
It is business and your previous employer would not have created job for you if you were not valuable. As long as you communicate openly with them you won't burn any bridges

Just do the sums. Which of your potential outcomes is best financially and which looks most financially stable long term?

I really wouldn't stay where you are. It sounds very badly managed. Nor is it necessarily ideal to go back to your old employer. I'd aim for the higher paid roles at new places, provided the companies are solid. Can you do a background check on them?

My partner had the hastily scheduled (during lunch), that all the team were invited too, to put them all at risk, the 45 minutes of them saying the BS about how it couldn't be helped...

By the time that call had completed, he had redone his CV and submitted it to multiple job sites.

Not a sniff at moving until he got the settlement - don't walk anywhere unless you have the cash.

Don't stay, don't apply for the remaining roles; but start looking. Start interviews, any good role will know you cannot commit to dates for them until you're dates with the old company are all official.

Your last resort is the role offering 7k less. Try to find something in the meantime, you have a small buffer in the 10k cash but that's probably 3 months buffer in reality. Get out there, linkedin, CV sites, apply apply apply and get some interviews lined up

Is the redundancy package the same if it's voluntary or you are picked?

If it is the same either way I would not put in voluntary. You don't have any firm offers in your hand. Things fall through.

Tough situation you find yourself in. Maybe you need to understand how they are selecting people so you can assess if you think you will keep your current job and stop job hunting. It feels like they are hoping enough people will resign or volunteer so they don't have to make a decision. Usually if there are a pool of people doing the same job and they need to reduce a team of 10 to 5, they will score on disciplinary record, sickness absence and/or consider skills needed for the future. Being a recent joiner could put you in a strong position. Last in First Out is illegal although I get why people might be sceptical and that might still be an undertone of some processes.

So do you have a formal offer in writing from your previous employer?

Ask your old employer to advise of the salary and to draft a contract.

Finish email, we delighted with your offer but just need to review the contract before confirming.

This is why you should take the money, go back to your old job and keep your eye out for better things.

@Dearymee not sure why the snotty response. Yes I really do think that. On the positive side at the moment you still have a job, you are still getting paid and it is clear there is interest in you as an employee - this is not a dire position. I'm very senior (not in this sector) and have lost count of the number of times that men negotiate on salaries - at pretty well every level - and women don't. Even if it only gets you a couple of grand then that is a couple of grand that you have, so very much better than nothing.

And yes, your old employer might shaft you, but they are not the only game in town so you don't have to say yes and, if you do say yes, you don't have to stay any longer than it takes you to get a better job.

I appreciate that getting made redundant is dreadful (been there, had nightmares for three years' after), but you really do have agency here. You are doing lots of things to mitigate bad stuff happening to you, well done, just don't panic. If your focus is a £60k plus salary then go for that, whether using your old employers as stepping stones on the way or not.

Not sure I'd bank on the old employer coming through.
I remember people saying to me that if ever I was looking they would hire me and then literally a month or two later them having a hiring freeze. Tech needs are very volatile at the moment and things change very quickly.

As you don't have anything in writing from any potential role you should not put your hand up. Is your current employer's position that if you don't take voluntary you'd get nothing?
Odds are given your short service you will be selected (especially if they are trying to shed 50%) but you can always wait and put your hand up even after the deadline if you get an offer, just tell current employer you've changed your mind.
If your current employer doesn't select you and you get another job and you resign to go to that job you haven't really lost out. At least you'll know you can pay your bills.

@MrsAKB I think you need to start your own thread - there is a specialist Legal section (think there might also be a Divorce section) where people can advise

You need to start a thread for this one.

but I’d say he has no equity for the 5 years he has not paid the mortgage. That’s just my feeling.

I would also suggest you have a coffee and cake this lunchtime. All will be well in the end.

start a thread on legal or divorce if there are boards for those topics. People will help you.

Regarding the loyalty aspect with old company. Yes it’s very nice that they will create a job for you now. But you can be thankful to them plus acknowledging you need to earn a higher salary so would need to keep your options open.

carrot cake

Help! Anyone been through divorce courts & can share their experience? (I can no longer afford legal representation so self representing.) My husband left 5 years ago. I'm arguing financial settlement. He's entitled to equity in the family home (I assume!). Legally, would we use the value of the house 5 years ago, or now? He stopped contributing towards mortgage when he left but has always paid maintenance (one child).