If I could make another point it would be that I really would recommend to people starting a PhD to get a couple of years work under their belt in the real world first. Then they will appreciate the PhD experience more and have some work experience to fall back on if their PhD doesn't deliver the academic job they want. Experience of the world of work (be it charity or business) can also help researchers more easily make useful research contributions that are valuable to the outside world.

Equally, with planning you can choose an area of academic research for your PhD where there is a reasonable supply of academic jobs and posts because it is useful to society (e.g. research on environmental change and protection). Or you can use your PhD as an opportunity to research an area where you would like to set up a new business in or indeed a social enterprise since you don't seem that interested in making money! Stop moaning and get on yer bike lol!

I think this thread reflects the inability of posters like Matt to properly research their options before starting and after completing their PhDs. If you knew you were unlikely to get a well paid permanent academic job immediately after finishing your PhD then what are you complaining about. A quick look through THES or jobs.ac.uk makes it obvious how few academic positions arise in most subjects. What is your point? Do you want the state to invest large amounts of money so people can research what they like on permanent research contracts at high wages regardless of its use to society? Is that what people pay their taxes for? I'm sure lots of people would like the state to fund their hobbies and interests but we don't live in that Utopian world. However, with planning one can find careers in industry where research skills will be be used to some extent and are valued.