the tax bracket thing, i was always led to believe that you only pay for 40% on what you earn OVER the £31k-ish threshold??

I may be wrong, but that's how i always looked at it.

Cos if you got your wage up from £31k to £33k and it took you into the bracket you'd end up with less take home than before your pay rise, which isnt fair is it (not that fair comes into it when tax is concerned)