I caught the guy from BA at the FLYER show. The exact number is not publicly known - but I get the feeling it is 100-200 not more.
The story goes that BA is looking mostly for 747 and 777 pilots due to retirements. The problem it has is that most of its existing pilots are frozen out from changing type because many/most of them have changed type in the last few years, and company rules bar another change. Furthermore, there are no other UK 777 operators, and not many 747 operators. It is therefore going hunting at Virgin and Emirates (not low houred wannabees). Frankly it is going to struggle.
Virgin is already recruiting, and not many people leave.
Easyjet needs 300 pilots to fill the 22 new planes (plus leavers and retirees) this year, or more if many leave to BA/Virgin (I reckon nearer 400). This number will be repeated next year.
Put it together and you should have a real shortage coming at the end of this year. But I dont see them panicking and coming directly to the wannabee market yet. Did one person get a call after the Bournemouth roadshow? No, they were hunting for EAAC pilots.
BTW BMIbaby has taken people out of the Astraeaus type rating course. So it still looks like you have to pay for a TR, or else be with CTC, to get a job.