if you plan a break/ time off, you’ll probably start a new job next monday
This happened to me in 2005. Applied for jobs to get some practice and do a few interviews. Third interview 2 weeks from redundancy offered a WFH job. Bang went the summer of walking, climbing and cycling.
I was on the point of resigning as had grown to hate my job and where the company were - had been there since near the start, employee no. 11 I think. Was on point (as above) of handing in notice when they announced round of redundancies (not voluntary) - payoff to leave I job I no longer liked was good (month per year, capped at 12 (b**tards, I'd been there 19..). No regrets. tax-free is still I think limited to £30k but you can invest surplus in other outlets which will reduce liabilities if you so wish.
My dad took vr / early retirement. 14 months later the (quite large) firm went bust and thousands of people went on government minimum. So go on the .gov website and use the calculator to see what that would be for comparison. I suspect there will be many tens of thousands difference between the two numbers.....
And if you go on good terms and things pick up, it is very common for people to end up back in the same place (but with a pocket full of cash).
First offer is always the best offer you are going to get. Take it if you can!
government minimum
although it's a minimum £ per week, its capped to a certain number of weeks regardless of your length of service.