Silver I hear your situation and do not doubt it but Pay / Salary levels are falling for the great majority of work levels across the Western world. Those on basic (mostly) have a 'floor' that is held and those on the top have no ceiling. The reasons are well documented.
I am self employed in a very specific area. I am highly experienced (22 + years) and have been an accredited trainer to others (equiivalent to both 'SIM' and Line Training) I am recognised as being in the top 5 of the profession in my geographic area.
BUT ... I have difficulty raising my fees - even in line with inflation - as there are others undercutting me. I won't bore you with the numbers but, across the last five years, my income has not kept pace with inflation in the UK.
The West wanted untramelled free markets? They got it.
To return to the topic:
Irrespective of whether an island is the correct solution - the UK cannot afford it and thus (following the American capitalist method) it will not be built.