ATC are fully staffed. This has been so since August 2008.
Only if today is 500/08/08.
TIBAs just not very much used anymore, they prefer a shortbreak proc, whereby a non-rated person (not a controller, 99% of the time) sits at the console whilst the controller has a 15min break. (sometimes just 1 or 2 15mins break in a 9 hour shift). But they dont tell you (pilots) this, no broadcasts or anything just a strange unearthly quietness on the RT.