Anotherthing,
I believe the team who do the 118.77 sector were nominated for some award this year for reducing delays. Was this not the old Pole Hill sector that LATCC/Swanwick used to do?
Also, I seem to recall being told that Manchester have been commended for their safety performance overall.
My safety is what Air Traffic Control is all about is it not?
As for single-manning of ATC sectors, I seem to remember that missing 'human resources' played a part in the tragic events of both Ubelingen and Zagreb.