> I myself was only paid £18k/pa as a junior programmer at a big studio, programming in C++ with two CS degrees

How long ago was that though? I started professionally in games in 2004 getting paid £16k/pa living in Dundee making J2ME games then moved over to another company making a UE3 title after six months going up to 19k/pa. I also had an offer for 21k/pa working for EA Chertsey but didn't fancy moving there!

I hope base salary has gone up by quite a bit in the UK since then!