Crab,
What is slightly concerning is that the DfT have been advertising for a SAR transition co-ordinator (a fairly important and crucial job methinks) but, due to civil service blinkers and structures, the salary is £41K.
Have you put in for it? Would have thought it was a perfect opportunity for you to ensure future standards of SAR and with your gold plated pension and people in SAR don't do it for the money attitude, the salary is irrelevant to you surely...
Of course maybe you are trying to put others off to improve your chances
