Desk Pilot,
£6 an hour for flying pay, and allowances a variable beast depending on where you are flying to etc, and/or where you are based. Allowances at LGW EOG are @ £2 for every hour away on the trip. Allowances at LHR S/H or L/H depend on the destination breakfast, lunch and dinner etc. LHR allowances generally reckoned to be more generous than EOG. As you rightly point out however one does need to spend a lot of this dosh on the required 5 units!!
Regards
Exeng