Consider a PPL gained at age 18 and maintained until age 58 (i.e. 40 years). Under the old rules that would have cost £201. Under the new rules the licence will have to be renewed every 5 years (7 times) costing a total of 7x£143 = £1001 (not including inflation or the mandatory bi-annual flight with an instructor). If you think that's a good deal, squeakmail, then I've got just the investment opportunity for you!
Of course if you want to maintain a multi-engine rating, that's another flight test every year.