When I took redundancy from BT in 1992 the tax free element allowed then was £30,000. Today after taking into account inflation that figure should be nearer £52,000. Fiscal drag I think they call it.
For those suitable motivated must be worth a question to their local tax office and or MP.
Also understand that during the bmibaby and Monarch redundancy processes , pay in lieu of notice, PILON, was paid tax free.