Would you class £32,000 as a good salary?

That’s not true at all. I tripled my salary by going into private sector recently.

I asked a straight-forward question, no need to be so rude.

And you appear to be ignorant of the fact that the C.S. pension scheme WAS non-contributory.

That isn't correct.
There have been stats lately showing that local government and CS jobs have had more pay rises recently than the private sector.
The perk in the past was fewer hours and a bigger pension.
Now, they are on a par for salary but the public sector gets massive pensions.

No. Our first jobbers are paid between 28-33k.

Back 20 years ago CS pay was equivalent to what I earnt in the private sector (I have a professional transferable skill that means I could work in either) but now the CS has fallen really far behind. The main attraction is of course the pension but how much longer that will last (esp. if Reform are elected and fulfil their promise of CS reduction) is anyone's guess.

Surely part of your answer would be either to make an income from your flat, or sell it...

Will your Department pay for you to do a postgrad/training in something that would help you to get promoted eg HR, law, public policy?

Upskilling will make you stand out in competitions.

I'm a civil servant too, and it can feel like we have to be so so grateful for flexibility, pension etc, but as you're planning on having children, it's really valuable.

I have a couple of friends with private sector jobs who were made redundant when they were pregnant - employers claimed nothing at all to do with the pregnancy, what a coincidence. That doesn't happen in the civil service. Flexible working is available in other employers, but there is a risk, particularly with a smaller company, that you'll be turned down.

I imagine your local council has the same sort of flexibility as the civil service, so might be the best option to consider.

No it is not.

Surely that's only relevant if the worker is entering a field which required the degree and masters. Organisations rarely give higher starting salaries to people with no experience or relevant qualifications, just because they went to university.

Not really. It’s what I’m on
Single parent
if I hadn’t had inheritance I’d struggle

I think it's all subjective really. I earn a little more than that but have a mortgage and have two adult children at home who do contribute but nothing like 1/3 of the costs.
When the kids were younger I had CM as well but have always earned a low wage and we manage. Owned a car, holidays abroad most years etc.

No, don't be ridiculous. The only NC pension scheme in the country is the armed forces.

£32k isn't bad although it depends on your responsibilities. Are you working towards getting the experience you need for HEO? I had to pro-actively ask for work to get the necessary experience.

I was made redundant from a well paid job in Sept. I had over 3 months of no salary coming in. My new job is much less money and I’m working weekends freelancing to boost it.
I’m a professional. There were over 100 very qualified people going for the job I now have. The answer to my “is the salary negotiable” was “no”. It’s also a fixed term 12 month contract. So even though I don’t get a day off I’m sticking with the freelance so keep that door open.
Sorry….made it all about me.
The point is that many, many people don’t have wiggle room to find better paid work.

Most eo jobs will be digitised by 2030 so I would definitely not rest on your laurels either way

I'm the same, Bsc+Msc, in CS, same salary. Admittedly, I'm up North. I find it OK. Covers my necessary expenditure, good pension and flexible around parenting. Don't have the private sector stress, log off at 5 and that's it. Maybe I will look for progression once DD2 is in secondary school (a while yet), but not now. It wouldn't have been doable if both DDs were in nursery and the mortgage was this rate, though, so I do appreciate I'm having it easy with the timings. Also I'll have to consider the AI impact in the future. Swings and roundabouts, I suppose.

It still is where I am

Does the C.S. still have a non-contributory pension scheme?
That's worth a lot of money.

Local Government used to be compulsory 6%, maybe still is.

I think it’s the way you worded your post - as if “gosh!”
I am a single income household and a lone parent. I know the pressure. Unfortunately it’s not as easy as finding another job these days. That’s partly why salaries are so low - they have hundreds of applicants.

100% - I’m a single parent and as much as I would love to change jobs, I’m still holding on due to the risk involved. I can’t afford an interruption in wages coming in.

Plus I live in a suburban area and all the “good” jobs will inevitably (unless I’m very lucky) involve some form of commuting, which will also add costs + time spent.

Have you tried looking and applying for other jobs?

One thing to accept is you usually have to work a heck of a lot harder in the private sector to earn more.

No clocking off early, staying at work far longer than the 37 hours a week, less holiday, lower pensions.

All my family work in the private sector (my kids are older than you) and they work long hours with a lot of responsibility.

No, not if it’s your sole income

A lot of private sector also double match pension contributions. I have had a few roles where if i pay 10% the employer pays 20%.

What exactly is your job?

Do you have skills that are transferable to the private sector?

Hi I earn the same but I am part time as a Teacher 3 days per week (55k FTE). I would definitely struggle if I didn't have my partner's income.

As others have said it seems low for your qualifications and over 10 years experience.