[nickthedart]

IMHO one thing the client needs to do to get a decent Python programmer apply is either relocate that job somewhere cheaper, or pay significantly more. In London, too much of that £45k is going to be swallowed up by accommodation costs.

[Peroni]

You'd be surprised. £45k is a pretty standard salary for Python Devs as well as Ruby Devs which are much harder to find.

[gaius]

For better or worse, there are fairly low barriers to entry for Python devs, e.g. doing Django. Same with Ruby and RoR. The higher the barriers to entry, the higher the salary.