I don't think numbers have dropped off that much.
Last summer there was a rush of people trying to beat the end off CAA lic being issued which may have given an artifical lift to the numbers.
OAT apparently have full 0-ftpl, 6 courses of 25 each.
And whenever I have been near Leeds Flying School and Tayflight they always have a waiting list for poeple starting.
And I can only speak of north of the border but there has been alot of movement of Instructors into airline work. Must be nearly 15 now which must be a sizeable chunk of the instructors in Scotland who are looking to move up the ladder.
Main operators being. Scot airways, Logan, Eastern and I have also heard rumours of Highland and FRA interviewing people.
MJ