There are very few options under £1000 for a new rifle currently. Realistically, you have Howa or Tikka for a synthetic/stainless.
If I was buying a new 308, I would buy a Howa barrelled action (which I think you can do now), get the barrel cut back and threaded to 20", and buy it a decent stock, Edi of this forum makes lovely stock for the Howa.
Secondhand, a Sako or maybe a Sauer if he could scrape up £1200.
Watch guntrader every week, you might pickup a second hand semi custom for around that money.