MLS,
I think you have hit the nail on the head, but unfortunately, as has been discovered by others that don't have their roots in the UK, there seems to be an overwhelming desire to have everything regulated to the 'n'th degree over here.
One of the main differences in attitudes I noticed when I settled on these lovely shores a decade ago was the existence of the jobsworth, a phenomenon not previously encountered by me. 'If I haven't been told I should or can do it, I am not going to!'
Ah well, in the for the time being I do what I have been doing, and hope for the best, whatever that may be!
FD