Bear,
It's not just London I'm afraid. As I am not married, Ms M and I are quite happy as things are, I am penalised if I am posted away from home and have to live in i.e. do the weekly commute. If I were married, I wouldn't pay any accommodation charges, but as I don't have that little bit of paper, I do.
Not only is that expensive, it is divisive amongst individuals doing similar jobs in the same location. Given the near criminal rates of GYH, I calculate that I will be approx 6k out of pocket for this tour when you take GYH / fuel costs and accommodation charges into account. I am currently fighting to get a job nearer to home so I can do a daily commute. If I lose the fight, I will be away from home for a second consecutive tour and likely another 6k down - total 12k to go to work at a location not of my choosing. It will be the last tour I will be away from home for as I will probably end up leaving due to the quality of life issues associated with never being home.
I'm afraid it is the way things are these days. Allowances are ripe for the chopping, but the decisions to do so are often taken by those who can either afford to absorb the shock or are not affected. I am lucky, I can absorb the pain - for now. There are likely to be many more junior individuals who can't and will end up leaving. Part of me thinks that is entirely what the intent is at the moment.
