CAT has been removed (gutted, the pipe simply has been emptied), and there's no lambda sensors close to it - I presume the single one sits pre-turbo, no post-CAT one present (so the engine cannot detect the presence of the CAT!).
The turbo spins up between 100 - 150 rpm sooner hence the powerband kicks in sooner, more evident than I expected actually.
Too soon to determine a difference in fuel economy but the second half of the tank is creeping to 'less' whilst driving same style on same roads to work.
Happy!