I suggested exactly the grouping the French have applied to the CAA chap Jim at The Kettering roadshow.
It it would be massively more straightforward to simplify all the online admin if we did 2/9 ths of the effort that is required.
The current uk examiner systems saves people making 2.5 hour journeys also.
There is NO REASON to have 9 exams, other than to keep the historic cock-up made by the CAA in 2013 in the interpretation of EASA regs.