Never done more than ten years in one job, life in the private sector was tough, and there is less job security than in the public sector. I finally got a job in the public sector for the last ten years and got paid crazy amounts for less effort, and topped up my pension. I preferred the private sector though because I felt I was doing something useful. Now retired, my few years in the public sector has given me a feather-bedded retirement, whereas thirty two years in the private sector would have left us on benefits. Get a job at the council, you will never be poor.