Whirlygig,
Whilst I admire your misplaced loyalty to the CAA, I have to agree with SHARPPOINT, they are without question taking advantage of student pilots. I think you will find that most prof organisations try to encourage new blood by discounted membership and reduced fees. The CAA do not and operate impervious to any criticism of these practices (How much does it really cost to mark a multiple choice ATPL paper?)
The sad fact is they are money grabbing swine and you are fighting a losing battle if you think that you can defend them on the wannabe pages of pprune!