That is awfully bleak, mate.hahaha you would be lucky to start on 30K as an engineer in the UK. Big 4 Accountancy probably pays slightly better than engineering. Those working in IB at Bulge Bracket and Elite Boutique firms will typically take 50-60K as base salary with bonuses going up to 100% of salary (as first year analysts - as you progress the compensation gets significantly more handsome)
I am curious: what is the average rent of a 2 bedroom flat in, say E17?