The quote of 34k is quite high but hearing where it comes from, I understand it :-),
20k still sounds a like a lot but guess that's the price nowadays, I would have guessed something around 15-18k.
Most CPL(H) pilots nowadays try to get a commercial job first and rather invest in an IR instead of a FI(H).
With indeed the CAA making it harder and harder to stay an FI, people are giving up and that in combination with not many new FI's, will result in not having enough FI's to train new pilots.
As an FI there is more and more theoretical stuff you need to teach and as an FI you mainly get paid for flying hours so with the increase of theory, it will reduce the flying hours per day.
This doesn't make the FI job very attractive to pilots.
Also more and more people want to learn to fly helicopters, especially for just PPL(H) so more demand which makes it even harder.
Solution.......if there is one...?
The big companies (CHC, Bristow, air ambulances etc) will have the problems in the future, not getting enough new pilots. They should mainly hire people who at least did 1-2 years of instructing. Sounds harsh but that way you will produce FI's in the industry.
They can provide bonds for IR and type ratings but if there aren't FI's there won't be any pilots to put on a IR or typerating...
How it is now, it will be a slowly increasing problem....
Another thing that could cause a problem in the future, CPL examiners and FI examiners.......