I've come to the conclusion that jury service is designed by public-sector workers for public-sector workers. There is an expectation that jurors can take an indefinite amount of time off work, and that employers will continue to pay their employees while away.

Employers have a legal obligation to give jurors time off work, but have no obligation to pay employees while they are on jury duty. But the daily rate for loss of earnings of £62 ensures that, for most workers, either employee or employer (or both) are out of pocket.

At least they offered to pay travel costs. Maybe in a rural area that is more likely than in a city like Nottingham.