For those with no idea about the geography of this part of the world: it's about a 30 minute drive down the motorway, and from memory congestion only gets particularly bad further south on it at rush hour, so even at rush hour it won't be that much longer.
Of course, the big difference with the programmer under the desk is the programmer is unlikely to be earning minimum wage. Anyone 25 and over, working 60 hours a week at minimum wage, is earning £432/week. If we assume they're working those hours or on vacation all year, their take home pay is £355/week. If we assume fuel costs of ~£4.50 each way, then if they're working five days a week that's ~13% of their income, or if six days ~15%.
Of course, the big difference with the programmer under the desk is the programmer is unlikely to be earning minimum wage. Anyone 25 and over, working 60 hours a week at minimum wage, is earning £432/week. If we assume they're working those hours or on vacation all year, their take home pay is £355/week. If we assume fuel costs of ~£4.50 each way, then if they're working five days a week that's ~13% of their income, or if six days ~15%.